Task force members also served search and arrest warrants Thursday at various locations in the country to take down the rest of the organization. WebIDAHO FALLS Between Friday, March 4, and Sunday, March 6, Idaho Falls Police Officers arrested 16 people for drug and other relevant offenses in six separate incidents. Markyrie McCray, Sr., 46, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 72 months' imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. 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The Alprazolam pills were found in a dresser drawer in Stantons room next to his identification card. 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. For more than a year, federal, state, and local law enforcement worked on a massive operation dubbed Operation Triple Play that targeted drug dealers and violent criminals in Highlands County. 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. MIAMI, Fla. (CW44 News At 10)-- Several Highlands County men have been sentenced in South Florida federal district court to prison terms for their roles in a powder and crack cocaine drug trafficking ring that had become entrenched in the Lake Placid neighborhood of Highway Park, Florida. She was arrested numerous times in Pasco County before she got clean. These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Port St. Lucie Resident Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Highlands County Sheriffs Office. Chief Dolan said charges are pending and the suspects names are not being released at this time. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The Port St. Lucie office of Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Highlands County Sheriffs Office and the local Probation and Parole office in several arrests Thursday. The medical examiner who covers Highlands County says 37 people died of an overdose there last year, while 8,000 died statewide. Some face federal charges. The prosecution was part of Operation Triple Play, which is a result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Leeper said drug dealers will mix it will other drugs including heroin, meth and cocaine, which increases the chances of a fatal interaction. In the past three months, the following federal defendants have been sentenced in this matter: Markyrie McCray, Jr., 24, was sentenced on Sept. 8, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, to 30 months imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.. To take this amount of drugs off the street is a huge accomplishment, and our county is safer because of it.. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 21-CR-14002). Local public notices delivered daily to your email account. He completed probation in 2020. Now that she has paid her debt to society, she works on recovery efforts in New Port Richey. It was around 7:40 p.m. Sunday when a deputy pulled over a Ford Focus that was driving with a tail light out. Rachel Starostin is lucky one of them wasn't her. Tanya Lynn Mobley, 32, of Lake Placid: sale of hydrocodone, possession of drug equipment. Additionally, arrest warrants have been issued for the following suspects: Asa Scott Boyd, 37, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony (currently in custody on other charges in Polk County). accounts, the history behind an article. 23 people across the area were arrested on charges for dealing meth or opiates. More than 70 people have been charged with 184 felonies as a part of a Henry County drug bust, according to the Henry County Sheriffs Office. Threats of harming another Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, DeSantis auditing state attorney over Orlando shooting, FL sheriff stops fleeing driver during radio interview, Publix FL Lottery ticket worth $186K about to expire, Police investigating Tarpon Springs shooting that, Trustees eliminate diversity office at New College, Gov. 20-CR-14022). I want to thank everyone who had a part in making this huge impact on the flow of drugs onto our streets, Blackman said. Official websites use .gov Investigators say the drug den rented by Ezzard Dixon on Abel Rd. Photo is courtesy of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. Two people were arrested: Gina Marcia Denys, 58 of Abingdon, and Erette Allen McClellan, 41 of Abingdon. Joshua Thomas Strusz, 33, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. 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. In the past three months, the following federal defendants have been sentenced in this matter: Markyrie McCray, Jr., 24, was sentenced on September 8, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, to 30 months' imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack cocaine." We won't share it with anyone else. Share with Us. 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. Marlene Rodriguez READ: Were losing this battle: Floridas attorney general wants fentanyl declared a weapon of mass destruction. that is degrading to another person. Investigators say the drug den rented by Ezzard Dixon on Abel Rd. Highlands County sheriffs deputies prepare to transfer Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, 27, of Sebring to a different vehicle outside of his Manatee Drive home. 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. 21-CR-14002). Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. And, that wasn't all. 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. Highlands County Sheriffs Office arrested Dahlin Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, on Nov. 29. Markyrie McCray, Sr. has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr. was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. The cannabis was packaged in vacuum-sealed bags in the snack box, according to the arresting documents. RELATED: Thousands of 'rainbow fentanyl' pills seized as authorities warn of possible new 'trend' targeting kids. Sheriff Paul Blackman says there is growing use of meth and opiate across the area. This operation, Operation Triple Play, is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. WebDrugs and weapons allegedly seized in a Highlands County bust (HCSO photo) According to deputies, a dose of 2 to 3 milligrams of fentanyl is enough to be deadly, meaning there 21-CR-14003). 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. We arent finished, either. Stephen Gerald Shuart, 31, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. 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. Samuel Danelle Sapp (41 years of age) from Augusta. The most recent obituaries, sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning. I am so proud of the work done on this case by the Crime Suppression Unit and the work of all the others who took part in this investigation. 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. Create a password that only you will remember. Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney These leggings and parkas look great together in any combination, so you can mix and match according to your preferences. COURTESY/HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, International drug smuggling ring with Highlands County connection dismantled. Steven Lee Purser, 47, of Bowling Green: sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony. Other people linked with the drug trafficking organization were arrested prior to Thursday: Victor Antonio Delagua, 27, of 1517 Melady Ave. in Sebring, was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug equipment, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and probation violation after he was found with 13 grams of methamphetamine and 255.3 grams (more than half a pound) of marijuana during a probation search of his home. As a result, Highland County SO now has detectives that are task force members with the DEA, the FBI, the ATF and the United States Marshals Service. Brittany Jean Boozel, 33, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, possession of a controlled substance. (Case No. Edward Bernard Hammond, 61, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Use the 'Report' link on Operation Triple Play was a long-term investigation conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force made up of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) West Palm Beach District Office: the Bureau of Alcohol: Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI); the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the Sebring Police Department; the Okeechobee County Sheriffs Office; and the State Attorneys Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Be Truthful. The sheriffs office estimated the street value of the fentanyl as $15,000. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. To put that in perspective, that would be enough to kill nearly 40 percent of the people in Highlands County, an HCSO spokesperson noted. Zaquero Baza, 33, of 4318 Mackerel Drive in Sebring, on unrelated charges. Molina Deputies reportedly located ledgers documenting drug sales, large amounts of cash in small denominations, 86.8 grams of cannabis and 170 Alprazolam pills. According to a release from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office, Ezzard Charles Dixon, 47, was arrested on Tuesday after a search warrant turned up multiple types of drugs and guns. A law enforcement operation handled by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and Highlands County Sheriffs Office dismantled the drug trafficking organization, leading to the prosecution of members at all levels of the criminal enterprise -- from top leaders, to people who cooked crack, to street-level dealers. Don't Threaten. 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.. 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. (Case No. The operation targeted dealers of meth and opiates. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. (Case No. Donna Alice Bermudez, 56, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. 20 of the arrests were charged with selling narcotics, the other three for drug possession. Deputies said they also found five loaded guns and nearly $3,000 in cash. Nicholas Ray Lynch: possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment, resisting arrest without violence. Throughout the investigation, another four were arrested and authorities seized a large amount of drugs. Three of their co-conspirators were arrested in Highlands County just before New Years Eve. WebBEACHWOOD, Ohio (WOIO) Two men suspected of drug trafficking were arrested in the parking lot of Beachwood Place and police said they seized two guns, suspected More than 80 arrest warrants were issued and more than 70 people have been taken into custody. SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - Law enforcement officials arrested seven people, and confiscated two kilograms of cocaine, 20,000 bags of heroin, $180,000 in cash, and multiple firearms as part of a large-scale, multi-agency drug bust in southeastern North Carolina. When your e-Edition is ready to be read, we send you a reminderemaileach day letting you know. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 21-CR-14002). The OCDETF program facilitates complex, joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. The operation culminated this week with a surge of arrests as part of the federal Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). 21-CR-14002). 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, Two top members of Latin Kings arrested in Hillsborough County, sheriff says, 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, 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. 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