A months-long investigation by the Hendry County Sheriff's Office led to charges against more than two dozen people after undercover drug and gun purchases across the county.
According to HCSO, detectives with the Vice Narcotics Unit arrested several people on Thursday during the second phase of an operation that began six months ago.
The investigation involved undercover purchases of narcotics and firearms from 37 suspects, and resulted in more than 60 controlled drug buys with a total estimated street value of about $18,000. Deputies also seized seven firearms throughout the operation.
The first round of arrests took place in January, with Thursday’s actions representing the second wave.
Charges from the operation include sale and possession of narcotics such as fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic drugs, along with the use of two-way communication devices to commit felonies. Several people are also facing weapons charges.
Those arrested range in age from 19 to 56 and are primarily from Clewiston and LaBelle. Charges vary by individual but include trafficking, possession with intent to sell, and illegal firearm possession.
Tarsha Brooks, 49
- 5 counts of sale of fentanyl within 100 feet of a specified area
- Possession of fentanyl with intent to sell
- 4 counts of trafficking fentanyl
- 4 counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
Elisha James Robinson Jr., 42
- 2 counts of sale of synthetic narcotics
- 2 counts of using a two-way device
- 2 counts of sale of synthetic narcotics within 1,000 feet of a specified area
Sedric Sentrellmorris Lawson, 39
- 2 counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Eric Luane Westberry, 50
- 2 counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell
- 2 counts of trafficking in methamphetamine
- Sale of methamphetamine
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Eric Alexander Hunter, 47
- Trafficking in fentanyl
- Sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Taris Andre’ Gadson, 54
- Sale of cocaine
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Possession of cocaine
- Use of a two-way communication device
Richard Nathan Timmons, 40
- Sale of methamphetamine
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Use of a two-way communication device
Freddy Dionisio Curbelo, 54
- Sale of cocaine
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- 2 counts of sale of controlled substance without a prescription
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Larry Donnell Chavers, 47
- Possession of fentanyl with intent to sell
- Sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Dustin Shane Jordan, 40
- Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell
- Trafficking in methamphetamine
- Sale of methamphetamine
Marauavious DeShawn Hill, 26
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Introduction of contraband into a detention facility
Tommy Johnson, 37
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
Mark Dwayne Skervin, 44
- Possession of controlled substance without a prescription
- Possession of marijuana
Ashley Rasheeda Richardson, 34
- 2 counts of sale/delivery of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- 2 counts of possession of synthetic narcotics with intent to sell
David Lamar Stanton, 42
- 2 counts of possession of firearm by a Florida convicted felon
Derrick Melendes Ned, 19
- 2 counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Sale of cocaine
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
Donovan Lavell Williams Jr.
- Sale of cocaine
- Use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony
Germalyel Jones, 41
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
Ivanaeja Jayavana Iveish Bell, 22
- Sale of cocaine
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
Johnnie Johnson, 48
- 2 counts of possession of controlled substance with intent to sell
- 2 counts of sale of controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a specified area
Johntyrion Johnson, 24
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
Korri Turlington, 30
- 2 counts of sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- 2 counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
Ty’Jae Isaiah Adams, 23
- 2 counts of sale of cocaine with intent to sell
- 2 counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell
Victor Roa, 47
- Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell
- Sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
Maurice Brown, 52
- Sale of cocaine
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
William Tyrone Smith, 48
- Sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Possession of cocaine with intent to sell
- Sale of synthetic substance within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Possession of synthetic narcotics with intent to sell
Andy Spencer Gowdy, 56
- 3 counts of sale of synthetic narcotics
- 4 counts of possession of synthetic narcotics
- Trafficking in synthetic narcotic
- Sale of synthetic narcotic within 1,000 feet of a specified area
- Use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
More arrests may follow as the investigation continues, authorities said
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