JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville resident has been handed a 35-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating a long-standing drug trafficking ring in the city, in addition to his involvement in a 2023 drive-by shooting on I-95.

Nathaniel Hatcher III, aged 30, faces not only incarceration but also the forfeiture of $2.2 million, representing his estimated earnings from the drug trafficking operation.

As detailed in court records from the Department of Justice, Hatcher served as the leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) for eight years. This group was responsible for moving substantial quantities of marijuana from Northern California to Jacksonville. The DOJ reports that Hatcher engaged in violent activities to advance the DTO’s interests, with alleged help from an ex-corrections officer from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Furthermore, it is claimed that Hatcher and his associates utilized fake business accounts to launder their illicit profits.

On October 17, 2023, Hatcher and members of his DTO reportedly appeared at the Duval County Courthouse, where one member faced unrelated charges.

During their visit, they allegedly identified an individual accused of embezzling nearly $45,000 from the DTO. Following the court session’s conclusion, Hatcher and his group reportedly trailed this person as he departed.

After locating the subject’s vehicle on I-95 South in St. Johns County, Hatcher and fellow DTO members boxed in the subject’s car and opened fire. The subject was reportedly shot once, while a female passenger was injured by broken glass.

In February 2024, Hatcher was arrested for a conspiracy to make straw purchases of firearms. After his arrest, the DOJ said Hatcher “tampered with multiple witnesses and co-conspirators, directing them to flee from, or lie to, law enforcement.”

Hatcher is charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to commit money laundering, committing a drive-by shooting in furtherance of a major drug offense, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

“The judge delivered a punishment that matches the danger this defendant posed to communities,” says Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “The message is simple: profit from poison, and you pay for it. IRS CI and our partners will follow the money across jurisdictions to shut down traffickers and every coconspirator who launders their profits.”

The DOJ provided the following statuses of Hatcher’s DTO members who have also been arrested:

• Tavarius Blue – Sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.
• Yaquasia DelCarmen – Sentenced to 8 years in federal prison.
• Al’Donta Easterling – Sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
• Darion Jerido – Sentenced to 6 years, 6 months in federal prison.
• Briyhon Johnson – Sentenced to 14 years, 3 months federal prison.
• Javon Davis – Pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
• Christian Guyton – Pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
• Desmond Maxwell – Pled guilty to straw-purchasing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; faces up to 25 years in federal prison.
• Jahson Hatcher – Pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
• James Toney – Pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, committing a drive-by shooting in furtherance of a major drug offense, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.