TALLAHASSEE — Joseph Primus Gainer, 44, of Panama City Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison following his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida announced on Friday, October 23.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice — Northern District of Florida (Oct. 23, 2026)
Court records cited in the announcement say a search warrant was executed at Gainer's Panama City residence during a joint law-enforcement investigation, and officers seized fentanyl tablets, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a loaded Taurus 9-millimeter handgun. Regional coverage of the sentencing by the Pensacola News Journal network reported the same 78-month term and the same seized items.
Source: Pensacola News Journal network via NewsWK — Panama City Beach felon sentenced
Gainer has multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 2005, including felon in possession of a firearm and possession of controlled substances, and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, the Justice Department said.
What officials said
U.S. Attorney Heekin credited state and federal partners for the investigation and said the repeat offender was on his way to federal prison, adding that his office is committed to safe, drug-free communities through continued prosecutions. Panama City Beach Police Chief Eusebio Talamentez Jr. said the case showed the strength of local and federal partnerships in holding repeat offenders accountable.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, the Panama City Beach Police Department and the Panama City Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric K. Mountin. An earlier Justice Department release in the same case said Gainer had faced enhanced penalties of up to 30 years on the drug count because of a prior drug-trafficking conviction; the sentence imposed was six and a half years.