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The Appomattox County Sheriff's Office announced 14 arrests in connection with a 6-month narcotics investigation on April 13, 2021. You have permission to edit this article. Leeper said drug dealers will mix it will other drugs including heroin, meth and cocaine, which increases the chances of a fatal interaction. WebHILLSBORO, OH (FOX19) - Seven people have been arrested after a drug bust in Highland County. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism She was arrested numerous times in Pasco County before she got clean. Trafficking cocaine (28 grams less than 150 kilograms). (Case No. READ: Were losing this battle: Floridas attorney general wants fentanyl declared a weapon of mass destruction. Daniell Nicole McDaniel, 33, of Avon Park: sale of oxycodone, sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Melissa Lynn McIntosh-Paniccia, 47, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine (two counts), possession of drug equipment, using a two-way device to facilitate a felony. Photo is courtesy of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. 20 of the arrests were charged with selling narcotics, the other three for drug possession. Along with the $20,000 of cocaine, $40,000 of oxycodone, and $45,000 of heroin, and the total seizure was worth $120,000. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. WebHighlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 21-CR-14002). Top headlines of the day, delivered to your email every morning. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Local public notices delivered daily to your email account. Three of their co-conspirators were arrested in Highlands County just before New Years Eve. Marlene Rodriguez ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. They are wanted for using fraudulent prescriptions to obtain codeine-based prescriptions to be sold on the streets, and are part of a large ring on the east coast of the state. Marquis Sharod Bellamy was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Dario Stephan Dixby, 41, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. (Case No. 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. He continued to say the investigation had spanned many months and countless hours of work by investigators in multiple agencies. Highlands County Sheriffs Office arrested Dahlin Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, on Nov. 29. Samuel Danelle Sapp (41 years of age) from Augusta. Eleven grams of cannabis were found in the garage under a beige couch, the report states. "I do not understand how people can do this, other than just pure greed and evil," stated Dressel. Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr., 34, was sentenced on August 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. 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. COURTESY/HIGHLANDS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, International drug smuggling ring with Highlands County connection dismantled. 20-CR-14022). These leggings and parkas look great together in any combination, so you can mix and match according to your preferences. Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr. was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. 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. Brittany Jean Boozel, 33, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, possession of a controlled substance. Have a question about Government Services? 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. 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. A locked padlock I would stress that we dont have as big as a problem as some of the east coast and west coast counties but we do recognize it as a growing problem, and if they are selling one opioid here in our county then thats an issue, Sheriff Blackman said. 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. 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.. This man was literally selling death and needs to spend the rest of his life in prison, Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said. The areas top boating and fishing news will be delivered to you email every Thursday morning. Don't Threaten. Authorities said these forms of the drugs have higher potency and are highly addictive. I have made it a high priority of our agency to target not just street-level drug dealers, but mid- and upper-level drug traffickers, Sheriff Paul Blackman said Friday morning. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Steven Hanna, 20, of West Park: obtaining a controlled substance (codeine) by fraud. Mark Antonio Hanson, 32, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Stanton faces charges of possession of illegal drugs and drug sales. Be Truthful. WebMiami, Florida 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 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. Highlands County sheriffs deputies prepare to transfer Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, 27, of Sebring to a different vehicle outside of his Manatee Drive home. 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. Top headlines of the day, delivered to your email every morning. Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The joint investigation by the Highlands County Sheriffs Office; the Port St. Lucie office of the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the local Probation and Parole office led to five arrests. The sheriffs office estimated the street value of the fentanyl as $15,000. 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. The sheriffs office said a subsequent search of the car turned up a staggering amount of drugs, including: Drugs and weapons allegedly seized in a Highlands County bust (HCSO photo). WebJul 3, 2020 Updated Aug 7, 2021 SEBRING On Tuesday, the Highlands County Sheriffs Office Special Operations Division arrested 22, many of them alleged drug dealers, in a Markyrie McCray, Sr. has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Share with Us. The following comes from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office: Arrested during the Operation Dealer Fold sweep over the weekend were: Erica Lea Blair, 47, of Sebring: possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Marquis Sharod Bellamy was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. Working together, investigators conducted long-term surveillances, made undercover buys, and utilized innovative investigative techniques to target some of Highlands Countys worst violators. 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. 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. The search involved twelve locations. 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. (Case No. There was an error processing your request. What are those large pyramids next to the Skyway? WebMulti-Agency Operation Nets more than 70 arrests in Highlands County SEBRING, Fla. On September 30, 2010, a multi-agency federal, state, and local task force conducted an They were prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida. We will continue to work hard to identify and arrest the people who seek to peddle this poison in our community.. 21-CR-14003). Operation Triple Play is most likely the largest and most productive investigation of its kind ever conducted in Highlands County. Whether you want to DIY it or go with a craft kit, theres something for everyone this St. Patricks Day. (Case No. Public Affairs Officer The other 75.8 grams of cannabis were allegedly found in a CHEEZE-IT box underneath a bench cushion in the hallway. K-9 officer Gentry sniffed around the outside of the car and indicated there were drugs inside. Derick Demon Hammonds, 38, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone (two counts), possession of drug equipment. We won't share it with anyone else. Beachwood police said the the suspects are from the Northeast Ohio area and have had previous felony convictions. Task force members also served search and arrest warrants Thursday at various locations in the country to take down the rest of the organization. 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. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. (Case No. When your e-Edition is ready to be read, we send you a reminderemaileach day letting you know. The medical examiner who covers Highlands County says 37 people died of an overdose there last year, while 8,000 died statewide. Win $1M a year for life with new FL Lottery game, Where to find fish fries in Tampa Bay during Lent, Two FL beaches make Tripadvisors best of the best, Worlds largest bounce house coming to Tampa, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The areas top boating and fishing news will be delivered to you email every Thursday morning. RELATED: Law enforcement officials worry 'rainbow fentanyl' could be targeting children. September 11, 2021 / 9:26 AM This lead to the prosecution of members at all levels of the criminal enterprise - from top leaders, to people who cooked crack cocaine, to street-level dealers. The bust in Highlands gives her shivers, knowing where those drugs would have otherwise ended up. Now that she has paid her debt to society, she works on recovery efforts in New Port Richey. 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. 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 After obtaining a search warrant for the home on Meadowlake Circle South, deputies detained residents of the house outside while conducting the systematic search. 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? 21-CR-14002). This operation, Operation Triple Play, is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. If the Iditarod race inspired you, weve compiled a list of the best gear to keep your dog safe and happy throughout winter, as well as year-round. To put that in perspective, that would be enough to kill nearly 40 percent of the people in Highlands County, an HCSO spokesperson noted. Their efforts have put one of the countys major drug dealers in jail where he belongs and likely saved many lives.. WebSEBRING, Fla. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. The cannabis was reportedly field tested on scene and showed a positive result for the substance. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 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