Zephyrhills man gets life in prison for dealing crack

ZEPHYRHILLS — A 48-year-old man convicted of dealing crack cocaine was sentenced Friday to life in federal prison.

Pasco County deputies and Drug Enforcement Administration agents found 191 grams of crack cocaine when they raided the Zephyrhills home of Ronald "Shine" Jiles Sr. in May, according to court records.

The Sheriff's Office used confidential informants to buy crack cocaine from Jiles in late 2009 and early 2010.

Jiles pleaded guilty in September to possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. U.S. Judge Steven D. Merryday imposed the life sentence on Friday, in part because of Jiles' criminal history, which includes eight prior felony drug convictions.

The case was part of a multi-agency investigation into cocaine smuggling and distribution in and around eastern Pasco County. The Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are all involved in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force's Operation "DC Lockdown."