Suncoast drug trafficker gets 10 years in prison

Joseph Vine, of Port Charlotte, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 15 years of probation, for drug crimes, including drug trafficking.

He was sentenced as follows:

Trafficking in Heroin 4 grams or more – 10 years in prison followed by 15 years of probation (sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender)

Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell or Deliver (Alprazolam) – 10 years in prison (sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender)

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) – 5 years in prison

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methadone) – 5 years in prison

Possession of Paraphernalia – credit time served

The sentences are concurrent.

Assistant State Attorney Cynthia Rebholz-Rubin prosecuted the case.

The defendant was arrested in 2020, after a search warrant was executed at his house by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Inside, deputies found 13.4 grams of heroin, as well as alprazolam, methamphetamine, and methadone. In addition to the narcotics, there was $37,450 in cash in the home.