Florida Fisherman Caught 20 Kilos of Cocaine, Faces Life in Prison

Thomas Zachary Breeding made an unusual catch while fishing of the coast of Panama City, Florida. Instead of turning in the 20 kilograms of cocaine he caught, Breeding thought he'd distribute it for sale.

"This changed my life and way of thinking and also made me aware of some of the dangers that can be found off shore in the Gulf," Breeding wrote in a letter from the Washington County Jail. "I would like to let the public know the dangers and what not to do if this situation comes about."

Breeding and four of his friends have all pleaded guilty to charges related to setting up a distribution network of the nearly 45 pounds of coke. Each face life in prison with fines up to $4.25 million.

"I was working as a long line boat captain out of Panama City when I found a package containing 20 kilos of cocaine," Breeding wrote. "I do not know where the drugs came from and haven't ever been involved in the drug trade before. I was just a hard-working, young commercial fisherman."

Washington County Detention Center