Boynton Man To Federal Pen For More Than Decade

BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boynton Beach man is heading to federal prison for more than ten years, according to an announcement shared with BocaNewsNow.com by the United States Department of Justice. We are publishing the announcement in its entirety:

>> A multi‑convicted felon has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after setting a vehicle ablaze while it contained fentanyl‑laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, crack cocaine, cash, and a loaded firearm — endangering nearby law enforcement officers and members of the public.

U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian sentenced Willie James Skipper, Jr., 42, of Boynton Beach, to 132 months in federal prison following a jury conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and arson. Skipper also pleaded guilty to the remaining charges in the indictment, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and N-Dimethylpentylone and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

“Willie James Skipper turned a drug trafficking investigation into a potentially deadly explosion, putting law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders in grave danger,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This multi-convicted felon was trafficking fentanyl disguised as prescription pills, carrying a loaded firearm, and willing to set a vehicle ablaze just feet from officers. His reckless disregard for human life could have ended in tragedy. Instead, he is headed to federal prison for 11 years. We will aggressively pursue violent, armed drug traffickers who threaten the safety of our communities and the officers sworn to protect them.”

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in November 2025, Skipper poured gasoline on his vehicle and set it ablaze while law enforcement officers conducting a drug trafficking investigation stood just feet away. The gasoline-fueled fire triggered a major explosion, placing the officers and nearby members of the public at risk of catastrophic injury. Skipper fled on foot but was subsequently apprehended. 

A search of the vehicle revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl disguised as oxycodone pills, crack cocaine, large amounts of cash, and a loaded firearm concealed in hidden compartments.

At trial, an expert witness testified that nearby propane tanks heightened the danger of catastrophic injury to officers and the public. DNA evidence also linked Skipper to the narcotics and firearm recovered from the vehicle. Additional testimony addressed the danger associated with fentanyl. 

Court records also established that Skipper possessed a loaded firearm and distribution quantities during a prior incident on Aug. 29, 2024. The narcotics included six plastic bags containing N-Dimethylpentalone, 34 pieces of white rocks containing cocaine, and marijuana.  

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division; and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) made the announcement.

FBI Miami, ATF Miami Field Office, and PBSO investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shannon O’Shea Darsch and Brian Ralston prosecuted the case.<<