United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg recently announced that Robert J. Potocnack, of St. Cloud, has pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison for the drug possession offense, and a consecutive minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, up to life, in federal prison for the firearm offense. His sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 9, 2023.
According to the plea agreement, in November 2022, Potocnack sold 224 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm to an undercover detective from the St. Cloud Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Cloud Police Department. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening Project Safe Neighborhoods based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
