Bradenton Drug Traffickers Plead Guilty To Charges: U.S. DOJ

BRADENTON, FL — Seven members of a drug trafficking ring in Bradenton pleaded guilty in federal court, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

Clemente Betancourt (28), Estevan Betancourt (19), Larry Lee Woodard, Jr. (29), Adonis Bonilla (29), Omar Mejia (29), Jesse Leahy (48) and Alexander Perez (30) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not yet been set.

Between March 2022 and May 2023, they were involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in Bradenton and throughout Manatee County, the DOJ said.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, the individuals have also pleaded guilty to substantive charges on specific dates.

At the time of the arrests, a search warrant was executed at Clemente and Estevan Betancourt’s house in Bradenton. During that search, three firearms, about 1 pound of methamphetamine, 22 cellphones, cocaine and marijuana were seized, the DOJ said.