United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley III recently announced that James Thomas Bissell, of 32, Lehigh Acres, pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, hydrocodone, marijuana, alprazolam and morphine, and possession of firearms as a convicted felon.

The drug offenses are each punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and the firearms offense is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

According to the plea agreement, on Oct. 23, Bissell sold cocaine and heroin to an undercover Lee County Sheriff’s Office detective at the defendant’s home in Lehigh.

On Dec. 3, the LCSO executed a search warrant at Bissell’s residence and recovered six types of controlled substances that he was holding for distribution, along with 34 firearms and cash.

As a convicted felon, Bissell was prohibited from possessing the firearms, two of which had been previously reported stolen.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the LCSO.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.

Source: U.S. Attorney Office, Middle District of Florida