State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Jason Kelly Vanaelst was convicted after jury trial of Trafficking In Methamphetamine (14 – 28 Grams); Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia; Resisting, Obstructing Or Opposing An Officer Without Violence; and Possession Of Fentanyl.  The crimes were committed on 08/12/2024 and investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.  The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on 04/14/2025- 04/15/2025. Judge Matt Whyte also found the defendant to have violated his probation which he was serving at the time he committed these offenses.

The minimum mandatory sentence is 3 years for Trafficking in Methamphetamine (14-28 Grams).

The defendant was sentenced immediately following the trial to 9 years in the Department of Corrections for his violation of probation, followed consecutively by 10 years in the Department of Corrections, for Trafficking in Methamphetamine (for a total of 19 years in the Department of Corrections), all of which will be followed by 5 years of drug offender probation.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Tanner Woods commented, “This was a defendant who has previously been convicted of offenses involving drugs, firearms, and violence, both in Federal and in State court.  I would like to thank the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent work in bringing this dangerous individual to justice.”

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Tanner Woods in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.