An Ocala man who tried to sell nearly a pound of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison.
On Tuesday, 29-year-old Tyrone Lee Pierson was sentenced to 11 years and eight months behind bars for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to the charge in early January.
Pierson’s co-defendant in this case, 36-year-old Reshawn Jemiah Graham, also pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine distribution charge, and his sentencing is scheduled to take place later this month. Graham faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to court records, the investigation began on October 7, 2025, when an undercover officer negotiated the purchase of a pound of methamphetamine with Graham. Later that day, Pierson met with the undercover officer and explained that the source of supply for the drugs had been delayed.
The next day, Graham contacted the undercover officer to advise that Pierson was now in possession of the methamphetamine.
Law enforcement officers moved in and arrested both men after they arrived at a predetermined meeting location for the drug transaction. At the time of his arrest, Pierson was wearing a bag that contained nearly 440 grams of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
Federal prosecutors noted that the case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling drug cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime syndicates.