DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Northern District of Florida

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Christopher P. Canova
, United States Attorney
Contact: Amy Alexander

Tallahassee Man Convicted of Receiving Illegal Drugs from Overseas

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Yesterday afternoon, a federal jury convicted Robert E. Youman, 32, of Tallahassee, of possession with intent to distribute the controlled substance alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone ("alpha-PVP"). The verdict was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, on July 9, 2015, an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent posing as a delivery man delivered a package to Youman containing five kilograms of alpha-PVP that had been mailed from China to a "Jeffrey Davenport" at Youman’s address in Tallahassee. Youman told the undercover agent that he was "Jeffrey" and signed "Jeffrey Davenport" to receive the package. A short time later, Youman left his residence with the package. Law enforcement officers stopped Youman’s vehicle and arrested him. A search of Youman’s home revealed scales, additional alpha-PVP, and drug packaging materials.

Youman faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.

The case was investigated by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Tallahassee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Harwin.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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Tampa Field Division