North Port Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
Office of State Attorney
Clayton Masumi Waidelich has been adjudicated guilty and sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender, to 35 years in prison, for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for Trafficking in Amphetamine 200 grams or more, followed by 10 years of probation. He was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams, followed by 10 years of probation. He was ordered to pay a $500,000 fine on that count. He received 5 years in prison for Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams and credit time served for Possession of Paraphernalia. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
Assistant State Attorneys Scott Patterson and Kristan Burns prosecuted the case.
On January 16, 2021, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was conducting surveillance and saw multiple vehicles pull into a driveway at the defendant’s home in Port Charlotte. They witnessed handto-hand narcotics transactions between the defendant and individuals in each vehicle. The defendant also used a drone during these drug deals to conduct counter surveillance to look out for potential law enforcement.
Traffic stops were conducted on the vehicles involved in the transactions and various drugs were located during each stop leading to other arrests.
A search warrant was then obtained for the home. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of SWAT and Marine Units, served the warrant and located trafficking amounts of Fentanyl and amphetamine as well as other drugs and paraphernalia.