Sheriffs Public Information Officer Scott Dressel said he did not have information on how authorities learned that information. The Special Operations Unit launched the operation documenting narcotics sales and usedsurveillance video and undercover operatives. Markyrie McCray, Sr., 46, was sentenced on Aug. 25, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 72 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Local public notices delivered daily to your email account. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, Highlands County Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison, Palm Beach County Resident Pleads Guilty to Importation of MDMA and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Armed South Florida Fentanyl Dealer Arrested on Federal Charges, Dark Web Drug Dealer Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison, Highlands County Drug Traffickers Sentenced To Federal Prison. Choose wisely! Operation Triple Play is most likely the largest and most productive investigation of its kind ever conducted in Highlands County. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Leeper said drug dealers will mix it will other drugs including heroin, meth and cocaine, which increases the chances of a fatal interaction. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Task force members also served search and arrest warrants Thursday at various locations in the country to take down the rest of the organization. Be Truthful. 20-CR-14021). Mykel Laron Treadwell, 34, was sentenced on June 2, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 24 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute hydromorphone. An official website of the United States government. Kenneth Jamal Deveaux has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. You have permission to edit this article. Authorities said these forms of the drugs have higher potency and are highly addictive. The most recent obituaries, sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning. JimmyRay Parks, 18, of Sebring: felony possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment, resisting arrest without violence. The Alprazolam pills were found in a dresser drawer in Stantons room next to his identification card. Marquis Sharod Bellamy, 28, was sentenced on July 1, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 180 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The State Attorneys Office for Floridas 10th Judicial Circuit assisted with this operation. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Waccholtz in 2003, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, St. Pete church affordable housing plan faces pushback from nearby neighbors, Seminole lawyer accused of stealing more than $840K from 16 personal injury victims, Pinellas sheriff says, Accused drunk driver runs over boyfriend, police say, TPD: Video shows suspected officer impersonator who exposed himself to woman at Tampa hotel, USF Sarasota-Manatee to host groundbreaking for its first student housing complex, Berns Steak House requiring credit card for reservations, no-show fees will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, World War II airman from Tampa Bay area identified nearly 80 years after his death. We won't share it with anyone else. Whether you want to DIY it or go with a craft kit, theres something for everyone this St. Patricks Day. 4th Street
Stephen Martin Mackay, 46, of Sebring: possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. 20-CR-14022). This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. We'd love to hear eyewitness More information about this case can be found atwww.flsd.uscourts.govorhttp://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. Freddie Leon Owens, 59, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony. Talvin Johnson, 33, of Miramar: obtaining a controlled substance (codeine) by fraud. Kenneth Jamal Deveaux has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Terrance Mactavias Sholtz, 43, was sentenced on August 17, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, to 24 months imprisonment after being convicted of distribution of cocaine base. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The arrests happened in the north parking lot on Jan. 26 around 3 p.m. Im very proud of our police officers and K-9 Kai who proactively and tactically detected the suspicious activity in the parking lot and delivered a direct, decisive response, said Beachwood Police Chief Kate Dolan. Steven Hanna, 20, of West Park: obtaining a controlled substance (codeine) by fraud. Public Affairs Officer accounts, the history behind an article. Working with our federal and state partners, we have stopped the flow of nearly a million dollars per week of methamphetamine coming into our community.. 20-CR-14022). "That pull of addiction, those obsessive thoughts, can take you to some dark places," she said. Eight individuals have been identified as defendants in the case and are expected to face both state and federal indictments. Terrance Mactavias Sholtz, 43, was sentenced on Aug. 17, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, to 24 months imprisonment after being convicted of distribution of cocaine base. Rachel Starostin is lucky one of them wasn't her. Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr., 34, was sentenced on Aug. 17, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 96 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute a cocaine. RELATED: Thousands of 'rainbow fentanyl' pills seized as authorities warn of possible new 'trend' targeting kids. Authorities believe that Rodriguez and Baza also have a connection to this organization. LAEK PLACID, Fla. - Deputies in Highlands County say they have busted one of its most prolific drug dealers. Investigators say the drug den rented by Ezzard Dixon on Abel Rd. SEBRING, Fla. On September 30, 2010, a multi-agency federal, state, and local task force conducted an operation in which more than 70 people were arrested on drug trafficking and gun marcharges. Eleven grams of cannabis were found in the garage under a beige couch, the report states. Sheena Kristen Garcia, 35, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, After obtaining an arrest warrant, deputies said they searched Dixons home, finding two ounces of fentanyl powder and 800 fentanyl pills, as well as five ounces of cocaine, one ounce of methamphetamine, seven grams of oxycodone and three pounds of marijuana. On December 9, 2021 in the evening hours, the Polk County Police Department executed a search warrant at 978 Fairview Road (Rockmart) in reference to drug activity at the residence. An official website of the United States government. Takaria Vashon McCray, 47, was sentenced on Aug. 25, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 188 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Donna Alice Bermudez, 56, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriffs Office made the announcement. Web A traffic stop led to one of the largest drug seizures ever in Highlands County. Mark Antonio Hanson, 32, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. A locked padlock Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Joshua Thomas Strusz, 33, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. According to deputies, a dose of 2 to 3 milligrams of fentanyl is enough to be deadly, meaning there was enough of the drug to kill 40,000 people. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism We will continue to work hard to identify and arrest the people who seek to peddle this poison in our community.. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Threats of harming another During their interaction, Radina asked an undercover detective to drive her to her suppliers home at 206 Colorado Avenue in order to pick up around 7-grams of fentanyl. Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriffs Office made the announcement. Two people were arrested: Gina Marcia Denys, 58 of Abingdon, and Erette Allen McClellan, 41 of Abingdon. Markyrie McCray, Sr. has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Before that, it was months and months of investigations. Dixon has received the following charges: The Highlands County Sheriffs Office said Dixon previously spent 9 years in prison on federal drug charges and completed his probation in 2020. 21-CR-14003). Kenneth Jamal Deveaux, 39, was sentenced on May 26, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, to 151 months imprisonment after being convicted of distribution of cocaine base. WebDahlin Patrick Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, was arrested on Nov. 29 by deputies from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office. Stanton faces charges of possession of illegal drugs and drug sales. Dixon could be away for a while, now that the repeat offender is facing eight new charges, including trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Rebecca Lynn Taylor, 36, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone (two counts), possession of drug equipment, possession of marijuana. Marquis Sharod Bellamy was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. It was also learned that the organization was responsible for bringing up to 13 kilograms 28.66 pounds of methamphetamine a week, with a street value of almost $975,000, into Highlands County and the south-central Florida area. September 11, 2021 / 9:26 AM Stanton was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams (86.8 grams), possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment. It is enough, they say, to kill 25,000 people, or one-quarter of everyone in Highlands County, which has a population of about 101,000 people. / CW44 Tampa Bay. Derick Demon Hammonds, 38, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone (two counts), possession of drug equipment. (Case No. (Case No. (Case No. The investigation began in August 2018 when the HCSO Narcotics Unit learned that 27-year-old Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, of 5003 Manatee Drive in Sebring, was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine in Highlands County. HCSO Special Operations Units narcotics team investigated the complaint, and a large drug bust was made on Nov. 29. Takaria Vashon McCray has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Trafficking cocaine (28 grams less than 150 kilograms). Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr. was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Please enter valid email address to continue. Deputies in Highlands County have arrested Ezzard Dixon, who they say had enough fentanyl to kill a quarter of the county. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The cannabis was packaged in vacuum-sealed bags in the snack box, according to the arresting documents. It is largely due to a renewed focus on long-term narcotics investigations by the Highland County Sheriffs Office (SO) Special Operations Division. And, that wasn't all. Edward Bernard Hammond, 61, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. Turn them in to HCSO Valentines, Ybor City bar staff passed drugs to patrons inside shot glasses, under trays: police, Pasco man exploits elderly to buy guns, alcohol, dog, deputies say, 5 fun crafts for kids on St. Patricks Day, Inspired by the Iditarod race? The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. Daniell Nicole McDaniel, 33, of Avon Park: sale of oxycodone, sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. More than 80 arrest warrants were issued and more than 70 people have been taken into custody. Takaria Vashon McCray, 47, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 188 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Eastlake City Council president pleads not guilty to solicitation, Missing 17-year-old Cleveland boy last seen at Lake Erie High School, Ohio Gov. So ) Special Operations Unit launched the operation documenting narcotics sales and usedsurveillance video and undercover operatives the report.! Freddie Leon Owens, 59, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug.. Been taken into custody sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning before,... The drugs have higher potency and are highly addictive County have arrested Ezzard Dixon on Rd! 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