Lake County Man Convicted on Multiple Drug Trafficking Charges
Tavares, FL – On June 13, 2025, a Lake County jury found 44 year-old Michael Allen Reams guilty of multiple charges, including Trafficking in Heroin, Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl, Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell, Possession of a Place for Trafficking/Sale of a Controlled Substance, Child Neglect, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Device, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Reams, a registered Sexual Predator, was ordered to remain in custody pending his sentencing hearing scheduled for August 18, 2025. The trafficking and conspiracy charges carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years under Florida law, with Reams facing a potential life sentence as a Habitual Felony Offender.
The conviction stems from an investigation initiated after a traffic stop on July 13, 2021, involving five ounces of Fentanyl. On August 3, 2021, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Tavares and Leesburg Police Departments, executed a search warrant at a residence off 1st Bass Street in Tavares. During the search, authorities found Reams, a female, and an 8-year-old child at the property. Reams confirmed he resided in one of the bedrooms and owned several vehicles on the premises.
The search uncovered various illicit narcotics, multiple cellphones, drug paraphernalia, and containers consistent with drug distribution. In Reams’ bedroom, detectives found a safe containing items linked to narcotics proceeds. A search of an Oldsmobile controlled by Reams revealed a cooler containing over 28 grams of heroin. Reams was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail.
During the trial, where Reams represented himself, forensic analysts testified that his DNA was present on evidence collected by law enforcement. Testimony also revealed that Reams used the 8-year-old child to carry bags containing illicit narcotics, including Fentanyl.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Kristalle Smoller of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, and Hernando Counties.
Nothing further at this time.
