Lakeland Drug Dealer Sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida - Curtis Charles Tinsley (47, Lakeland) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA in and around Lakeland. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, from an unknown date and continuing through June 2025, Tinsley was part of a conspiracy and drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Polk County. Between April and June 2025, members of the conspiracy distributed approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and one kilogram of MDMA on a monthly basis. Tinsley typically sold or purchased methamphetamine by the ounce or pound - sometimes multiple pounds per transaction. He also regularly purchased and sold large quantities of fentanyl.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erik W. Daab and David J. Pardo.