A Florida resident with multiple prior state felony convictions for distributing methamphetamine pleaded guilty to a federal controlled substance charge after being caught with approximately eight kilograms of the illegal drug during a routine traffic stop when his co-defendant attempted to escape from authorities with the bag of drugs.

48-year-old James Freitas, of Winter Haven, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Louis Sands Wednesday.

Co-defendant, 43-year-old Miguel Mora, of Hanes City, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on August 12.

Freitas and Mora face a mandatory minimum of ten years up to a maximum of life imprisonment to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a maximum of $10 million fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

“I-75 is a known corridor for drug traffickers moving fentanyl, methamphetamine and other deadly drugs into communities across the southeast and beyond,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Individuals caught distributing large quantities of these types of controlled substances will face federal prosecution for their crimes, which are contributing to the death and addiction of many Americans.”

“The guilty plea of this reoffender is the result of the collaborative efforts between DEA and its law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to eliminate the distribution of the insidious drug methamphetamine,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This defendant will now face serious time in prison.”

According to court documents, the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office attempted a routine traffic stop for a driving violation as Freitas was traveling on Interstate 75 on July 11, 2019.

Frietas was unable to provide identification and gave conflicting information. As he was standing outside talking to the deputy, Mora climbed in the front seat and drove away in the car.

Mora drove the vehicle into a field and then fled on foot into the adjacent woods carrying a large bag.

Deputies quickly apprehended Mora. The bag Mora carried from the car was searched and found to contained 8,099 grams of 97% pure meth with an estimated street value of $748,000. A loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number was found on the floorboard and belonged to Freitas. A search warrant executed on Freitas' cell phone found photos of the gun, plus text and instant messages detailing both defendants travel to and from Tallahassee to purchase and transport meth to a third party in Florida.