Fact Check: "Noviello faced deportation due to a 12-month prison sentence for drug trafficking."
What We Know
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, was found unresponsive in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Miami on June 23, 2025. He had a legal status in the U.S. since 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. In October 2023, he was convicted of charges including racketeering and drug trafficking in Volusia County, Florida, and sentenced to 12 months in prison (The Washington Post, New York Times). Following his release from prison, ICE arrested him on May 15, 2025, at a Florida Department of Corrections probation office, initiating deportation proceedings due to his drug law violations (The Washington Post, News-Journal Online).
Analysis
The claim that Johnny Noviello faced deportation due to a 12-month prison sentence for drug trafficking is supported by multiple credible sources. Both the New York Times and The Washington Post confirm that he was sentenced to a year in prison for drug-related offenses, specifically racketeering and drug trafficking, which included selling controlled substances like hydrocodone and oxycodone.
Noviello's arrest by ICE was explicitly linked to these convictions, as he was deemed removable from the U.S. due to his violation of drug laws (News-Journal Online). The timeline and details provided by these reputable news outlets establish a clear connection between his criminal conviction and subsequent deportation proceedings.
Conclusion
The claim that Johnny Noviello faced deportation due to a 12-month prison sentence for drug trafficking is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that his conviction for drug trafficking led to his arrest by ICE and the initiation of deportation proceedings against him.