Bradenton man gets prison after using auto shop to sell meth, federal prosecutors say
A Bradenton man faces at least 15 years in prison after a jury convicted him of using his Bradenton auto body shop as a front for drug trafficking, federal prosecutors announced.
Javier Mares, 44, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to a news release.
Mares faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The charges stem from a 2023 investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bradenton Police Department after prosecutors say law enforcement suspected Mares of using his auto body shop in Bradenton as a front to distribute large quantities of narcotics.
Investigators say they dispatched a confidential informant to make several purchases of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Mares’ brother, who was observed traveling to and from the auto shop during transactions.
During the execution of a search warrant at the shop on June 27, 2023, investigators say they found a safe filled with packaged methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana along with drug distribution paraphernalia under Mares’ desk. An analysis revealed Mares’ fingerprints on a bag containing 380 grams of methamphetamine found in the safe, according to federal prosecutors, who say a loaded firearm was also recovered from a desk drawer alongside several collectible $2 bills.
During questioning, Mares said the office was his but denied ownership of the safe and its contents. He admitted the $2 bills belonged to him but said he didn’t know the owner of the safe and had never seen the firearm, according to a news release.
A jury found Mares guilty in a Tampa courtroom on Oct. 17, according to court records.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation of this case, according to prosecutors.
