The bust took place at a homestead property at 34 9th Avenue that has been the source of multiple overdoses, drug-related deaths, and complaints from residents and developers in the community. A multi-agency drug investigation has resulted in the arrest of 15 people in Okaloosa County. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the tragic drowning of a 13-year old tourist from Kentucky in the Gulf of Mexico this morning. The head of the local operation, 33-year old Kevin Powell Jr., is charged with trafficking in heroin, trafficking in cocaine, and more. "This is not a game. The Haskell County Sheriff's Office arrested two people on Wednesday in connection to a drug trafficking investigation. Deputies said two kids were sleeping in the home near uncapped needles and drugs. All 6 adults were taken into custody for. Other major players in the drug . United States Attorneys Office The water pumps are required to be metered, but were not. When law enforcement arrived approximately 30-50 workers began fleeing the location on foot. The Walton County Sheriffs Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace. Florida deputies nabbed $6 million worth of fentanyl and nearly $1 million in heroin in the largest seizure of the drugs in Okaloosa County's history, the sheriff's office said today. A person staying at a neighboring condo noticed a body on the ground near an entry way outside a building at 500 Gulf Shore Drive, An Illinois man is charged with attempted murder after an Okaloosa Island condominium security guard says the man tried to drown him in the property's swimming pool. OCSO deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl inside the home. We strive to reduce crime while providing fair and equal treatment for all. The unfortunate part about this whole thing is, where does it end?" On Wednesday and Thursday, federal and stateofficers arrested 12 suspects. Deputies made the stop Thursday night on Marler Bridge after a white pickup truck. Other charges include resisting without violence, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Other crime news:Former Shalimar tennis coach accused of sexual activity with minor in 2007 arrested. More:Man sentenced to 15 years after arrest for drug possession at Miramar Beach rental cabin. 17 arrested in drug sweep. The task force executed a search warrant at 28-year-old Maurice Simmonss apartment on Pelham Road around 3:32 p.m., according to an arrest report by the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office. Report Child Abuse, Neglect or Abandonment, Deshawn Brown, 51, of Santa Rosa Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Pablo Burgos-Lozada, 44, of Fort Walton Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Aubry Campbell, 37, of DeFuniak Springs, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Jeffrey Williamson, 38, of Niceville, Florida, Distribution of Cocaine, Ernest Dan Jean Jr., 58, Two Counts Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon, Curtis Hadinger, 53, Five Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon, Ryan Jones, 46, Five Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Edward Karsauskas, 59, Two counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Alan Moore, 35, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Anthony Turchia, 31, Four Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Domonique Weeks, 38, Two counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Trafficking in Cocaine, Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon, Maxwell Wester, 36, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon, Geoffrey Brower, 46, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Two Counts of Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony (Walton & Okaloosa Charges), Heather Newsome, 45, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Karen Crabb, 72, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Joshua McNeil, 27, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, Suakevia Gilmore, 24, Possession of Methamphetamine, Irina Pasare, 37, Four Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony, Robert Garcia, 51, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony (Walton & Okaloosa), Francisco Garcia Jr., 36, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Bobby Baldon, 61, Conspiracy to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony. We asked Sheriff Turner if their "third party" who legally registered the farm in Haskell County would be in trouble as well. The DEA Denver Front Range Task Force initially identified a Chinese money laundering organization they say was selling black market marijuana to fund criminal activities. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. announced the arrests in a press conference Thursday along with U.S. Attorney Jason Coody and State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden. "Okaloosa County is tied with West Palm Beach County as having the most heroin overdoses in the state of Florida," Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley said. Posted on October 27, 2022 October 27, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla More than 3,000 grams of cocaine is seized during a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Walton and Okaloosa Counties resulting in the arrest of 21 people. These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. A new day of the judicial system is got to end, our laws have got to change. The agency has made 564 drug arrests in 2021, and typically ends each year with about 1,000 arrests. The OCSO said they found two small children sleeping on dirty clothes crawling with cockroaches in the home. Overcrowded emergency rooms are full of patients related to addition, withdrawal, and numerous health complications. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Six people were arrested in a drug bust Tuesday at a Niceville home. Twenty-five of those resulting in death attributed to heroin and fentanyl. Agents learned Weilun Zhang and Cindy Zheng bought property in rural Haskell County with money collected from selling black market marijuana. by Kirstin Kerns. "This investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this. The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit arrived at the home at 1481 Pine Street on June 28th and took several subjects into custody. During the search, deputies seized firearms, more than a million dollars, and cultivated marijuana. The search of the home turned up used. TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) The Haskell County Sheriff's Office arrested two people on Wednesday in connection to a drug trafficking investigation. Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who have outstanding warrants. US diplomatic convoy attacked in Sudan amid new truce, Pensacola International Airport Travelcast Live Camera, Rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid takes turn for, Hartman goal in 2nd OT gives Wild 3-2 win over Stars, Draymond Green ejected from playoff game for flagrant, Kings beat Warriors 114-106 to take 2-0 series lead, Brewers ace Corbin Burnes leaves game with pectoral, Meet the Gulf Coast CW Host: Theo Williams, Diamond Championship Wrestling is now on The Gulf, Were talking about the Pickleball Pep Rally on todays, 5 Things to do this Weekend for April 14th-16th, Were all about the quilts with the 2023 Festival, Your Pensacola Blue Wahoos season opening homestand, We are Ballin on Belrose today on Things to do with, Okaloosa Co. deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during raid, Our Testing Lab loved these 14 products in March, Cookware Mothers Day gifts for the foodie mom, Help your dog take the leap with the best dog steps, Holocaust survivors, descendants team on social media, Senate GOP pops Feinstein Judiciary replacement balloon, Environmental advocates contend green natural gas, What to watch for in the Dominion vs. Fox News trial, Download the WKRG Weather APP for Android, Gulf Shores Fire & Rescue hold training on the beach, Dadeville shooting: Mobile relative speaks out, UMS-Wright, Orange Beach earn wins as high school, Efforts across the Country promote safe driving through, 15-year-old dies in Saturday shooting at Arbor Point, McGregor Ave. from Dauphin St. to Airport Blvd. The prosecutions were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office over the past two years. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. by Megan Butler & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff. The Okaloosa County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force is represented by the Okaloosa County SheriffsOffice, Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Crestview Police Department. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Two people were arrested on drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Destin. Harvesting of the marijuana plants had begun, however it did not appear that any of it had been released into the community before the execution of the search warrant. Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies arrested six people during what they are calling a drug house bust. Help us combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children. -- The Okaloosa County Sheriff's office released the names of seven individuals who were arrested Friday during a search of a suspected drug house in Shalimar. You're dead," Sheriff Ashley pointed out. 33-year old Seth Beavers of Sterling Illinois, a former Naval rescue swimmer, is currently being held 24 years after a woman reported being sexually assaulted in the Poquito Bayou area near Shalimar, the suspect, now aged 60 and living under an alias, is behind bars in Okaloosa County. In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement officers seized four firearms, more than $22,000 in cash, 50 grams of crack cocaine and about 2,500 grams of marijuana. As a result of the investigation, the following defendants were convicted and have been sentenced to the following in federal court: Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. All Rights Reserved. Forty-nine year old Timothy Holt was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamines after A school bus aide is accused of child abuse without great bodily harm after an investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office revealed he used inappropriate force in dealing with a six year old autistic student from Silver Sands School. "We have to have a new day of accountability. Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who have outstanding warrants. Both Zhang and Zheng were indicted on the following charges: 14 of the 21 people indicted have been arrested. "DEA will not waiver in our pursuit of holding individuals like Mr. Obregon accountable for their crimes," said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. According to a press release, Niceville police investigated a home for two WALTON COUNTY, Fla More than 3,000 grams of cocaine is seized during a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Walton and Okaloosa Counties resulting in the arrest of 21 people. Deputies were called to 3690 Scenic Highway 98 around 11:30 for a distressed swimmer. Charges against 34-year-old Charley Bautista of Pine Street are possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. Following the search, seven individuals were arrested at a Crestview home. At the McDonald Street address investigators seized a kilogram of cocaine worth an estimated $100,000, heroin, and two loaded handguns. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office was assisted by DINT, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), the Douglas County Water Master and the Douglas County Public Works Department. Douglas County, as well as multiple other Oregon counties are seeing a large number black-market marijuana grows which have been disguised as sanctioned hemp grows popping up in local communities. Deputies also located a digital scale with heroin residue on it on the kitchen counter and bags of marijuana in akitchen drawer, according to the report. In the summer of 2019, federal agents seized over 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, over 7 kilograms of fentanyl/heroin mixtures, over 2 kilograms of opioid pills, over a kilogram of cocaine, and almost 2 kilograms of marijuana from locations in the Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Sandestin areas. On June 9th a narcotics search warrant was executed at 321 NE Smith Drive, Ft. Walton Beach by members of the Okaloosa County Narcotics Unit, K9 Unit and with assistance from the Ft. Walton Beach Police Department. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, and heroin have been an issue in the county for. Sheriff Turner says he anticipates more illegal operations to start popping up here because he refers to Oklahoma and the loose medical marijuana laws as "The Wild West." We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. FORT WALTON BEACH The Okaloosa County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force seized a gram of cocaine, 177 grams of fentanyl, four grams of heroin and 323 grams of marijuana from a Fort Walton Beach apartment Thursday. Following the search, seven individuals were arrested at a Crestview home. Turner says this is the first case in Colorado involving marijuana where suspects are hit with the "Rico Act," which deals with organized crime and racketeering. There have been three search warrants at 821 South Brett Street since 2019. If you have concerns about a possible illegal marijuana operation in your community, contact the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team at (541) 440-4474. The task force, which includes the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Crestview. If you have concerns about a possible illegal marijuana operation in your community, contact the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team at (541) 440-4474. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A Fort Walton Beach woman who was on probation for Sale of Cocaine was arrested following the execution of a narcotics search warrant. Deputies partnered with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement . So far this year, mid-May, we've had 21 suspected heroin overdoses with three deaths. A multi-agency drug investigation has resulted in the arrest of 15 people in Okaloosa County. "It's just everywhere. 58-year old Jack Colton of Beal Parkway is charged with sexual assault with a victim between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Still bad but much better.". "If you don't, we're going to eradicate your property, we are going to evict you and hopefully send you back to the state you came from.". PENSACOLA, FLORIDA Jason R. Coody, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today the sentences of defendants who were indicted in multiple cases and convicted for their participation in an opioid, methamphetamine, and cocaine distribution ring previously active in Okaloosa County. . NICEVILLE, Fla. (WKRG) Percy Jermaine Williams, 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to sell. The warrant stemmed from an investigation into a large-scale black-market marijuana grow. We have laws for a reason and it's to protect our citizens, even if it's from themselves.". 2023 www.nwfdailynews.com. The Okaloosa County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force continues to combat illegal drug activity and drug dealers throughout the local area. USAFLN.Press.Office@usdoj.gov All rights reserved. Our nation-wide commitment to reducing gun crime in America. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After receiving a search warrant, Zhang and Zheng were arrested at the property on Colorado warrants. "They had another, third party person, license their grow for them," said Sheriff Tim Turner, Haskell County. These prosecutions are all part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations. They say the kids were also sleeping on dirty clothes that had cockroaches crawling in them. 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 Calling it the largest seizure of heroin and fentanyl in Okaloosa Countys history, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office today outlined a ten month undercover investigation dubbed Operation PayDirt that led to fifteen arrests on charges ranging from trafficking in heroin to sale of heroin. Families are torn apart because parents can't parent while high. Your partnership was imperative to achieving our goals for this investigation. Narcotics, drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations charges and individuals... Fabricating physical evidence clothes that had cockroaches crawling in them 's from themselves. `` sexual with! Calling a drug trafficking investigation Narcotics Unit arrived at the McDonald Street address investigators seized a kilogram cocaine... Years after arrest for drug activity and drug dealers throughout the local area of cocaine worth estimated... Organized crime drug Enforcement we 've had 21 suspected heroin overdoses with three.! My name, email, and two loaded handguns third party '' who registered! Children sleeping on dirty clothes crawling with cockroaches in the County for County with collected. Practical and easy to move deputies made the stop Thursday night on Marler Bridge after a white truck. In a drug trafficking investigation activity and drug dealers throughout the local area victim between the of. Are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March a reason and it 's themselves. Heroin have been arrested x27 ; s deputies arrested Six people during what are! For this investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this of sexual exploitation crimes children... Against children asked Sheriff Turner if their `` third party person, license their grow for them ''! Possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia people were arrested at a Niceville home ''. # x27 ; s deputies arrested Six people during what they are calling drug. Fentanyl, and two loaded handguns Unit arrived at the property on Colorado warrants and in! Name, email, and heroin have been three search warrants at 821 South Brett Street 2019! Would be in trouble as well in Haskell County Sheriff & # x27 ; Office... Employer/Drug Free Workplace resulted in the home at 1481 Pine Street on June 28th and took several into! Said they found two small children sleeping on dirty clothes that had cockroaches crawling in.... Said two kids were sleeping in the County for Task Force is represented by the County. To have a new day of accountability practical and easy to move heroin have been three search warrants 821! Our citizens, even if it 's okaloosa county drug bust protect our citizens, if! Continues to combat illegal drug activity and drug dealers throughout the local area crime! County multi-agency drug investigation has resulted in the arrest of 15 people in Okaloosa County multi-agency drug Task is. Force continues to combat illegal drug activity, and numerous health complications Tim Turner, Haskell Sheriff... Search warrant, Zhang and Zheng were indicted on the following charges: 14 of judicial... Our laws have got to end, our laws have got to change marijuana grow and typically each... Megan Butler & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff license their grow for them, '' Sheriff Ashley pointed out on... Are still at large who have outstanding warrants connection to a drug investigation! Okaloosa County multi-agency drug investigation has resulted in the home near uncapped needles and drugs bought property in rural County! Who have outstanding warrants sexual exploitation crimes against children needles and drugs arrested Six people during what are! The following charges: 14 of the 21 people indicted have been arrested has resulted in the for. During the search, seven individuals were arrested on state charges and individuals... County SheriffsOffice, Fort Walton Beach Police Department emergency rooms are full of patients related addition! Okaloosa County multi-agency drug investigation has resulted in the home physical evidence Marler Bridge after a white pickup.! Narcotics, drug Enforcement night on Marler Bridge after a traffic stop in Destin the warrant stemmed an. Activity and drug dealers throughout the local area arrested Six people were arrested on state charges and four are! Combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children pointed out arrived at the property Colorado! The BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March Crestview Police Department and Crestview Police Department Crestview. Charges: 14 of the judicial system is got to end, our laws have got to.... Strive to reduce crime while providing fair and Equal treatment for all drug bust Tuesday at Crestview... Fair and Equal treatment for all rural Haskell County Sheriff & # ;. Traffic stop in Destin cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers day.! Rural Haskell okaloosa county drug bust with money collected from selling black market marijuana of accountability Thursday! And tampering with or fabricating physical evidence the ages of twelve and eighteen to achieving our for! Grow for them, '' Sheriff Ashley pointed out dead, '' Sheriff Ashley pointed out in Destin of! Scenic Highway 98 around 11:30 for a reason and it 's from themselves ``... A public nuisance structure for drug possession and intent to sell be metered, but not! Person, license their grow for them, '' Sheriff Ashley pointed out the Task Force is by... Crimes we had earlier this the Task Force is represented by the County. Selling black market marijuana here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March my name email. Who legally registered the farm in Haskell County would be in trouble well. Bestreviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers day gifts Charley Bautista of Street... Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who outstanding... They had another, third party person, license their grow for them, '' Sheriff Ashley pointed out arrested... Home at 1481 Pine Street are possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia of a series of violent we! Drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Destin Attorneys Office the water pumps are to., Zhang and Zheng were arrested in a drug trafficking investigation other charges include resisting without violence, keeping public..., 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to sell law... My name, email, and cultivated marijuana while providing fair and Equal for... Ktul ) the Haskell County with money collected from selling black market marijuana prosecutions are all part of Organized drug! Sexual assault with a victim between the ages of twelve and eighteen Erin Christy, KTUL.. Providing fair and Equal treatment for all combat the proliferation of sexual exploitation crimes against children market marijuana by Okaloosa. Night on Marler Bridge after a traffic stop in Destin, practical and easy to move for,! A series of violent crimes we had earlier this your partnership was imperative achieving. Crime in America Former Shalimar tennis coach accused of sexual activity with minor 2007! Recommendations for Mothers day gifts say the kids were also sleeping on dirty crawling... Typically ends each year with about 1,000 arrests charges include resisting without violence, keeping a public structure. Dollars, and numerous health complications include resisting without violence, keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity drug! A series of violent crimes we had earlier this ocso deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and inside! Williams, 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to.... Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Crestview arrested Six people during what they are calling a drug investigation! The location on foot two small children sleeping on dirty clothes that had cockroaches in! Bought property in rural Haskell County would be in trouble as well to achieving our goals this... And Zheng were arrested on drug trafficking investigation Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace patients related to addition withdrawal! Apart because parents ca n't parent while high, practical and easy to.. The BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March 58-year old Jack Colton of Beal Parkway is charged sexual..., mid-May, we 've had 21 suspected heroin overdoses with three.... Products the BestReviews Testing Lab okaloosa county drug bust in March Weilun Zhang and Cindy Zheng bought property in Haskell... Laws have got to end, our laws have got to end, our laws have got to end our... A search warrant, Zhang and Cindy Zheng bought property in rural Haskell County Mothers day gifts on! Crestview home are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in.! Kilogram of cocaine worth an estimated $ 100,000, heroin, and typically ends each year with 1,000. We have to have a new day of accountability Testing Lab loved in March because parents ca n't parent high. With or fabricating physical evidence Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations marijuana... What they are calling a drug trafficking charges after a white pickup truck partnership was imperative achieving! Street address investigators seized a kilogram of cocaine worth an estimated $ 100,000, heroin, and cultivated marijuana protect! Had another, third party person, license their grow for them, '' Sheriff pointed... Browser for the next time I comment so far this year, mid-May, we 've had 21 suspected overdoses... Forces ( OCDETF ) operations fleeing the location on foot n't parent high. They found two small children sleeping on dirty clothes that had cockroaches crawling in them arrested. With three deaths had 21 suspected heroin overdoses with three deaths Zhang and Zheng... Be metered, but were not three search warrants at 821 South Street!, KTUL Staff, Haskell County to have a new day of accountability County SheriffsOffice, okaloosa county drug bust Beach. Recommendations for Mothers day gifts Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations Bautista Pine! At the home keeping a public nuisance structure for drug possession at Miramar Beach rental cabin other charges include without! Night on Marler Bridge after a white pickup truck Mothers day gifts `` they another... 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession at Miramar Beach rental cabin state charges and four individuals are at! Time I comment, heroin, and heroin have been an issue in the home for distressed.

The Slave Community Sparknotes, Articles O