Christopher Jon Bauer, a 46-year-old resident of Barefoot Bay, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon handed down the sentence in this case.
The investigation began when the Sebastian Police Department (SPD) received a complaint from Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers regarding Bauer’s alleged involvement in purchasing fentanyl through the dark web and then shipping the drugs to a co-defendant.
Upon confirmation from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) that several packages had been mailed to a co-defendant in Sebastian, Florida, SPD officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents conducted surveillance at a local U.S. Post Office (USPS).
During the surveillance operation, authorities observed Bauer arriving in a red Cadillac SUV with a passenger. The passenger entered the post office and returned to Bauer’s vehicle carrying a USPS Express package.
When SPD detectives attempted to stop the vehicle, Bauer fled, leading law enforcement on a lengthy high-speed pursuit, which eventually resulted in the vehicle becoming disabled.
Both Bauer and his passenger were apprehended by officers and taken into custody.
Following Bauer’s arrest, law enforcement seized a significant quantity of narcotics. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reported that approximately 65 grams of fentanyl, 12.53 grams of methamphetamine, and a small amount of cocaine were recovered. Moreover, it was revealed that Bauer had received at least 16 shipments of fentanyl, totaling nearly one kilogram.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Miami Division jointly announced the sentence.
The case was investigated by HSI Fort Pierce Office and USPIS Miami, with the assistance of the Sebastian Police Department (SPD).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hudock prosecuted the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is overseeing the asset forfeiture proceedings.