PENSACOLA, Fla., Dec. 7, 2018—Multiple suspects were arrested yesterday as part of a multiagency anti-drug operation according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Of the 22 arrests, ranging in ages from 27 to 74, 10 suspects were from Crestview.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices, Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Miami-Dade Police Department and members of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Task Force arrested the 22 suspects for running a drug trafficking organization from South Florida to the Panhandle.
The investigation shows the suspects were distributing illegal prescription drugs in Okaloosa, Walton Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
One of the three suspects remaining at large is from Destin.
Authorities began investigating the case after identifying a local drug ring in Okaloosa County whose members were obtaining large amounts of illegal drugs from south Florida and selling those drugs in Walton and Okaloosa counties.
The drug trafficking organization is accused of selling prescription painkillers including oxycodone and hydromorphone, both prescription pain relievers.
Some of these drugs were obtained from pain clinics in South Florida.
“This successful operation was a result of the hard work of men and women from multiple local, state and federal agencies whose late nights and relentless efforts helped take down a significant drug ring operating across the state,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley.
Investigators believe the suspects were a main source of illegal drugs in the panhandle and south Florida as several shipments containing hundreds of illegal painkillers were intercepted by law enforcement.
Crestview arrested were:
Dana Lyn Bafetti Clah; 48; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Margaret Ann Barbaree; 45; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Randal Scott Dees; 50; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Robin Lynn Godsey; 61; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Jonathan Dexter Grice; 37; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Stacey Lea Minick; 39; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Michelle Darnell Rogers; 42; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Tiffany Ann Russell; 34; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Gary Evan Thibault; 43; Crestview; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Georgiana Yvette Williams; 31; Crestview; trafficking in hydromorphone (conspiracy); two counts of trafficking in hydromorphone; already in custody at the Walton County Jail
Other panhandle arrests:
Matthew R. Barry; 27; Defuniak Springs; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Stormy Dean Bones; 37; Panama City Beach; iIllegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Tidalux Cheewayotin Burgess; 73; Destin; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Ashley Loraine McDaniel; 36; Cantonment; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Tyshaun Lamont Tarver; 39; Pensacola; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, selling a schedule I or II opium or its derivative
Miami arrests:
Victoria Bruton; 44; Miami; trafficking in hydromorphone (conspiracy), two counts of trafficking in hydromorphone, delivery of a controlled substance (conspiracy)
Tanisha Lashan Curry; 39; Miami; armed sale, manufacture, delivery or possession of oxycodone with intent to sell; delivery of oxycodone (conspiracy); possession of morphine
Ronald Wesley Fields, 54, Miami, trafficking in oxycodone
Joycelyn Dolores Green, 74, Miami, delivery of oxycodone (conspiracy)
Clifford Erskin Howard; 51, Miami; trafficking in oxycodone, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Michael Williams, 58, Miami, trafficking in oxycodone
Elizabeth Haire; 71; Bainbridge; Georgia, trafficking in hydromorphone (conspiracy)
Three suspects remain at large this morning:
Daniel Bertram; 49; Destin; illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance
Vickie Renee Acevedo; 49; Kissimmee; sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
Gabriel W. Manley; 48; Miami; sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony
In addition to the arrests, agents served a search warrant at the shared residence of suspects Bruton and Howard in Miami yesterday.
The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution and Office of the State Attorney, 1st Judicial Circuit.
Staff and Florida Department of Law Enforcement release
Holt Enterprise News 