Winter Haven Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Assaulting Federal Officers And Drug Offenses

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazarra today sentenced Altius Willix (48, Winter Haven) to life in federal prison for conspiracy, attempted possession of methamphetamine, and assaulting federal officers. A federal jury found him guilty on August 4, 2016. 

According to testimony presented at trial, Willix arranged for four pounds of pure methamphetamine to be mailed from Tempe, Arizona to Winter Haven, Florida.  After Willix attempted to retrieve the parcel, three federal agents approached him.  Willix fled and ultimately collided with one of the agents, causing him to fall to the ground.  Willix continued to resist arrest, as agents attempted to detain him, resulting in their injury.  During the struggle, Willix tried to remove holstered firearms from two of those agents.  When told to let go, Willix responded, “You’re gonna have to kill me.”  Willix was ultimately handcuffed and taken into custody.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Winter Haven Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carlton C. Gammons.