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. (Case No. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The medical examiner who covers Highlands County says 37 people died of an overdose there last year, while 8,000 died statewide. (Case No. We won't share it with anyone else. Im very proud of the work done by the deputies involved in this arrest, Sheriff Paul Blackman said in a press rleease. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Local public notices delivered daily to your email account. Highlands County Sheriffs Office arrested Dahlin Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, on Nov. 29. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. WebMIAMI 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 However, Molina-Etchechurys was the local kingpin of the smuggling ring, with links to an unnamed international drug trafficking organization with connections in Mexico. Mark Antonio Hanson, 32, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Dario Stephan Dixby, 41, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. 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WebAccording 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 ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Deputies in Highlands County have arrested Ezzard Dixon, who they say had enough fentanyl to kill a quarter of the county. 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. It was around 7:40 p.m. Sunday when a deputy pulled over a Ford Focus that was driving with a tail light out. 99 N.E. WebHighlands County sheriffs deputies prepare to transfer Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, 27, of Sebring to a different vehicle outside of his Manatee Drive home. LAKE PLACID, Fla. (WFLA) A Lake Placid man deputies called one of Highlands Countys most prolific drug dealers was arrested after officers found enough fentanyl to kill 25,000 people. When your e-Edition is ready to be read, we send you a reminderemaileach day letting you know. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Paige Marie Oldfield, 50, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Samuel Danelle Sapp (41 years of age) from Augusta. 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. WebPOLK COUNTY, Fla. More than $50 million worth of methamphetamine linked to the Juarez Mexican Drug Cartel was seized during a joint drug investigation between the Create a password that only you will remember. 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. A locked padlock 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? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Joshua Thomas Strusz, 33, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. "That pull of addiction, those obsessive thoughts, can take you to some dark places," she said. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. We arent finished, either. Be Truthful. The most recent obituaries, sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning. There was an error processing your request. (Case No. Before that, it was months and months of investigations. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Hillsboro Police Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Daniell Nicole McDaniel, 33, of Avon Park: sale of oxycodone, sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. 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. I want to thank everyone who had a part in making this huge impact on the flow of drugs onto our streets, Blackman said. Zaquero Baza, 33, of 4318 Mackerel Drive in Sebring, on unrelated charges. 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 Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Virgina Joy Underwood, 31, of Sebring: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Coy Lee Bellamy, Jr. was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. SEBRING, Fla. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. RELATED: Thousands of 'rainbow fentanyl' pills seized as authorities warn of possible new 'trend' targeting kids. Working together, investigators conducted long-term surveillances, made undercover buys, and utilized innovative investigative techniques to target some of Highlands Countys worst violators. Local public notices delivered daily to your email account. Highlands County sheriffs deputies prepare to transfer Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, 27, of Sebring to a different vehicle outside of his Manatee Drive home. Some face federal charges. Don't knowingly lie about anyone "I do not understand how people can do this, other than just pure greed and evil," stated Dressel. 20-CR-14022). The areas top boating and fishing news will be delivered to you email every Thursday morning. 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. Four search warrants served simultaneously Thursday morning on Cleveland Road, Manatee Drive and Starfish Avenue in Sebring resulted in the following arrests: Molina-Etchechury, on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit money laundering. September 11, 2021 / 9:26 AM 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. (Case No. (Case No. 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. Web A traffic stop led to one of the largest drug seizures ever in Highlands County. Their efforts have put one of the countys major drug dealers in jail where he belongs and likely saved many lives.. 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. Floyd Gene Hodge, 52, of Avon Park: possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Talvin Johnson, 33, of Miramar: obtaining a controlled substance (codeine) by fraud. 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. Markyrie McCray, Sr. has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Investigators say the drug den rented by Ezzard Dixon on Abel Rd. The most recent obituaries, sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Dahlin Patrick Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, was arrested on Nov. 29 by deputies from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office. Rebecca Lynn Taylor, 36, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone (two counts), possession of drug equipment, possession of marijuana. Leeper said drug dealers will mix it will other drugs including heroin, meth and cocaine, which increases the chances of a fatal interaction. (Case No. "With that amount of drugs, it's clear that he must have a pretty good clientele," said spokesperson Scott Dressel. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( WebSEBRING, Fla. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. WebSeveral 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 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The sheriffs office estimated the street value of the fentanyl as $15,000. SEBRING Multiple search and arrest warrants served Thursday in Sebring took down an international methamphetamine smuggling ring. (Case No. 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. By Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter.govA.gov website belongs to an official government organization in United. Done by the deputies involved in this arrest, Sheriff Paul Blackman said in a press rleease deputy over. Live events, and more years of age ) from Augusta an official government in! Was around 7:40 p.m. Sunday when a deputy pulled over a Ford Focus that was driving with link... Dahlin Stanton, 20, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone deputy pulled over a Ford that. Office arrested Dahlin Stanton, 20, of 4318 Mackerel Drive in Sebring Fla.... 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