Tampa Area Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison

Another former trafficker of Fentanyl faced swift justice earlier today, as convicted felon Randell Alexander Love, 48, of Hillsborough County, Fla was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute it and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, 20 of the 25 years were for the fentanyl charge, and a consecutive five-year sentence was for the firearm offense. Love had pleaded guilty on July 31, 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also stated that Love trafficked enough fentanyl to kill 45,000 people.

Prior to the trial, Love used violence to intimidate not only competing dealers, but also potential witnesses. Examples cited in court documents include an instance when Love punched a potential witness in the face with such force that her teeth were knocked out. The woman subsequently died of a fentanyl and heroin overdose. Other instances included Love pistol-whipping one of his drug sources of supply and also battering a man with a metal pipe.

During a traffic stop on October 5, 2021, deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a car driven by Love, and subsequently found and seized nearly an ounce of fentanyl and a loaded 9mm handgun.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.