All rights reserved. Start at 9:30 if you want to go straight to the Sheriff express his anger over illegal immigrant drug dealers on welfare. Updated: Apr. If convicted, he faces up to 105 years in prison. According to a press release from the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriffs Office, employees of Clay Electric reached out to UDEST agents after they noticed an irregularity in service at a residence and, upon investigation, discovered the power was being diverted to a large metal building on the property for the purposes of growing marijuana. The facilitatorthen warned the detectives about the risk of overdosing. While Dandridge was the "big guy" in Marion County, others, such as J. Felix Nunez Mondragon, were merely employees. Widdows and Scott were known to associate with Matthew Tutt, the man responsible for shooting and severely injuring two PCSO deputies in June 2010. The drug operation was being run by Ricky Kirkland and his son. Court records show that the twice-divorced Dandridge has been evicted numerous times and has been the subject of several domestic violence injunctions as well as an injunction for repeated violence while dating a 20-year-old. Tyler Scott is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine and Own or Rent Structure for Knowingly Selling Drugs. Operation Body Shot was an initiative of the sheriff's High Intensity Drug Traffic Area and culminated an 18-month, multi-agency investigation. Tara Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Tutt was killed when deputies returned fire. She is currently back in the U.S. and receiving Federal/assistance. // ]]> 2013 Ocala Post, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. Eugenia Lopez, 29, of 402 Wildlife Trail Lakeland is charged with Possession of a Place or Structure being Used for the Sale of a Controlled Substance. Melinda Baker-Ruiz, 34, of 908 Ruth Avenue Lakeland is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams. Officials said that the arrest of Noah Francis in Summerfield was their biggest bust of the bunch, as they were able to recover two kilograms of fentanyl, the drug that is most commonly the cause of over dose deaths. Tapia has Prior convictions of: Resist Officer W/O Violence- 2010. When there was no answer, agents approached the metal building in the back and heard voices and doors slamming inside, as well as the odor of raw marijuana. Undercover detectives arranged to purchase fentanyl from an unidentified source in Mexico for $24,000 per kilo. We can help you take control away from the drug dealers and in so doing maybe save your own life and the life of somebody else.. Ocala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth, Sheriff outraged: illegal immigrant drug dealers on food stamps, See Attachment for Criminal Arrest History, Rebekah Jones created revenge site, posted nudes of, A police report obtained by Ocala Post from Tallahassee shows that Rebekah Jones, the woman who claimed, (UNCUT VIDEO) Florida woman gets naked, caused, [Last edited on June 4, 2021, at 1:03 p.m., to include uncut video.] Muse is being held in lieu $250,000 and Shackleford, $150,000. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel . There have been dozens of posts in regards to hand sanitizer(s) and pets. According to investigators, the fentanyl was manufactured in Mexico and trafficked into the U.S. to be made into synthetic pills and sold on the streets. It is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security. Criminal Arrest History: DUI in 2013. Sheriff Grady Judd said, when certain individuals make national TV appearances and tell the public that drug dealers are not that bad or the offences are not that serious, they are not telling the truth. Antifreeze and hand sanitizer are not the same thing, How to bypass Floridas unemployment online waiting queue, Major issues with latest Windows 10 update, especially for teachers and students, Two camera apps removed from Google Play, consumers should immediately delete them, I-75 northbound lanes closed following fatal crash, Letter to the Editor: Stop allowing Crystal River to be destroyed, Deputy drives his car into a retention ditch, Bright Beginnings Learning Academy & Preschool is Now Enrolling new students, hurry before seats are full, Do not call 911 to report people setting off fireworks, not an emergency and its legal, Crystal River teen arrested, attempted to sell stolen gun via Snapchat. Miami's independent source of Warrants were served at 13785 SW 42nd Court Road, Marion Oaks; 14310 SW 39th Court Road, Marion Oaks; 2713 SW 15th St, Ocala; 1240 SE County Road 484, Apartment E1; and 1240 SE CR 484, Apartment E2. Many who have applied for unemployment since the "outbreak" of COVID-19 still have not received any benefits. "This shows drug dealers here we mean business," Dean said. The uncut street value of this amount is approximately $2 million, while the total distributed value is approximately $8 million. Now retired, Deputy Paul Fairbanks was shot three times, and Deputy Mike Braswell was shot four times. Criminal Arrest History: 2003-Burglary, Grand Theft, Criminal Mischief, Theft of Fire Extinguisher, Burglary Conveyance, Shoplifting, 2003-Felony Criminal Mischief and 2004- Felony Criminal Mischief. During their encounter, Tutt pulled a gun from under his shirt and shot at both deputies. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. A drug bust in Florida led to the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill at least 500,000 people, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. Rojas has prior convictions of: Assault on an Officer or Firefighter-1999. He was previously in the Marion County jail on charges of aggravated battery, and was arrested for DUI. The victim in the shooting originally went to the home to buy some marijuana. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, During the course of the investigation, detectives and agents learned two of those involved in the methamphetamine network were Josh Widdows, 30, of 5339 Meadow Grove Trail, Lakeland, and TJ Scott, 24, of 7708 Glen Meadow Drive, Lakeland. Ocala, Florida -- On June 1, 2021,, FDA: Rat meat being served as chicken in Chinese and, Have you ever wondered what rat meat would taste like? She can be reached at 732-7159 or laura.byrnes@starbanner.com. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. "We've made some large seizures, but nothing like this," Strow said. The local facilitator for the drug buy, identified as 28-year-old Ignacio Rodriguez, told detectives the source in Mexico would only deal in large amounts and that the price of the drug fluctuated based on its quality. Both men are due back in court on October 19 at 9 a.m., according to jail records. During the investigation, detectives identified two other suspects out of North Carolina. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Marcus, Pressley, and Perez are back on the streets. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. 0:00. Castro Solache and Mondragon are charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl. The UDEST is made up of members from the Sheriff's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Ocala Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Mondragon, 34, of 600 S.W. Lisa Bonugli (street nickname Methany) was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. During an executed search warrant, at a duplex home on NE 3rd Street in Ocala, detectives found more than six pounds of marijuana, narcotics including fentanyl, guns and other stolen items. Reach out to your local police department, your sheriffs office, ask for that help. This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . Below are some of the significant recent UDEST arrests involving illegal narcotics and other crimes: Ocala man with no license arrested after fleeing from MCSO corporal, National Weather Services SKYWARN Storm Spotter class returns to Ocala next week, Applications for Ocala Future Leaders Academy being accepted through March 31, Dunnellon police seek person of interest in theft of vehicle from Walmart parking lot, Ocala Police Department honors first African American female officer, Fire ignites inside vacant mobile home in Belleview, Pavement repairs to cause temporary lane closures on several Marion County roads, Marion County Public Schools to host Career Camp for adults, Resident discusses lack of reliable cellphone service in Ocala, Two Ocala residents voice concerns on rising electric bills, added charges, Two more residents voice their concerns on cellphone service in Ocala/Marion County. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. Godoy is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. (See Attachment for Criminal Arrest History). We want to hear from you. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Also known as J. Felix Mondragonnunez and Duque Nunez Gonzalo, among other aliases, Mondragon was arrested for conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and is being held on $500,000 bond. The quantity of the drug was enough to kill 2.7 million people. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. Published July 4, 2018. 2013 Ocala Post, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. He had two kilos hidden in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box and three kilos concealed in a yellow Igloo cooler. He said since OPD started tracking drugs in the community in 2017, just in Ocala proper, police have responded to roughly 900 over dose incidents. Related story: Ocala police uncover drug operation run by father and son during shooting investigation. High 79F. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be a whopping $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed a haul that officials hailed as the largest drug bust in the branch's history. Criminal Arrest History: Traffic Amphetamine, Possession with Intent, Possession over 20 Grams, Keep Structure for Drug Activity, Possession of Drugs-Equipment. The busts were part of Operation Life Saver, an ongoing effort by the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) targeting drug traffickers. Arrested: Dec. 9, 2020 and booked into the Marion County Jail at 4:20 p.m. Charges: Possession of drug paraphernalia, 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of methamphetamine, Charges: Possession and/or use of drug equipment, sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church and possession of cocaine with intent to sell, Charge: Possession of synthetic cannabinoids, Charges: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession and/or use of drug equipment, Charges: 3 counts of sale of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a social service organization, sale of crack cocaine with intent, 4 counts of possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams and possession and/or use of drug equipment, Charges: Possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation on a domestic violence injunction, Charges: Selling cocaine and possession of cocaine, Charges: Outstanding warrants for 3 counts of sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a place of worship and 3 counts of possession of crack cocaine, Charges: Possession of a controlled substance (powder cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) and possession and/or use of drug equipment, Charges: Possession of synthetic cannabinoid with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possess of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance (Tramadol Hydrochloride) and possession of a controlled substance (Diazepam), Charges: Trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in MDMA, possession of Fentanyl with intent to sell, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, 3 counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, providing false identification to a law enforcement officer, no valid drivers license, 2 counts of sale of cocaine and 2 counts of possession of cocaine, Charges: Possession of crystal methamphetamine, 6 counts of sale of crystal methamphetamine, 5 counts of trafficking in crystal methamphetamine, 6 counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, sale of a controlled substance in excess of 10 grams (methamphetamine), 5 counts of sale of methamphetamine, felony battery and battery, Charges: Providing a false name to a law enforcement officer, retail petit theft and outstanding warrants for sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine, Charges: Providing false identification to a law enforcement officer and violating probation for grand theft, Charges: Possession of methamphetamine, domestic battery on a person 65 years of age or older and domestic cruelty toward a child, Charge: Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, Charges: Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of Alprazolam, possession of Oxycodone, possession of THC derivative (edibles) and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Possession of drug paraphernalia, contempt of court for a past charge of driving while license suspended or revoked and warrants for past charges of sale of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a place of worship and possession of crack cocaine, Charges: Providing false identification to a law enforcement officer, warrant violations for larceny petit theft (second offense) and bond revoked for past charges of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession and/or use of drug equipment, driving while license suspended (first offense) and providing false ID to a law enforcement officer, Charges: Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, dealing in stolen property, providing false information to a pawn shop owner and larceny/grand theft, Charges: Aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, selling methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a place of worship/business and a probation violation for a past charge of driving while license suspended or revoked, Charges: Warrants for failure to appear in court on past charges of resisting or obstructing an officer without violence; possession of MDMA, synthetic cannabinoids and drug paraphernalia; and past charges of possession and sale of synthetic cannabinoids, Charges: Trespass after warning, 2 counts of possession of cocaine and 2 counts of sale of cocaine, Charges: Possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to sekll, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Possession of marijuana over 20 grams with intent to sell and possession of a THC derivative with intent to sell, Charges: possession of a firearm by an adjudicated juvenile delinquent, possession of ammunition by an adjudicated juvenile delinquent aggravated assault with a firearm, resisting an officer without violence, grand theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and warrants for past charges of domestic battery by strangulation, battery and criminal mischief ($200 or less subsequent offense), Charges: Possession of THC and carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm, Charges: Keeping or maintaining a place for drug sale/use, 3 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a THC derivative, a past charge of failure to return a rental vehicle and a warrant to revoke pond for a past charge of failure to return leased property, Charges: Keeping or maintaining a place for drug sale/use, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a THC derivative, Charges: Resisting without violence; outstanding warrants to revoke bond for past charges of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon, possession of cannabis over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Oxycodone; and failure to appear in court on past charges of possession of Oxycodone and cannabis less than 20 grams, Charges: Tampering with evidence and resisting without violence, Charges: Grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and providing a false name to a law enforcement officer, Charges: Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and driving while license suspended (first offense), Charges: Possession of cannabis (more than 20 grams), possession of THC content and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Warrants for past charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoid and selling synthetic cannabinoid within 1,000 feet of a community center, Charges: Trafficking in crystal methamphetamine (28 grams), trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams), 2 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, aiding and abetting the maintaining or keeping of a residence for drug sale/use and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Trafficking in crystal methamphetamine (28 grams), trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams), possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Possession of heroin (1 gram), possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, trespass to a structure and failure to appear on a past charge of trespassing, Charges: Maintaining or keeping a residence for drug sale/use and possession of drug paraphernalia, Charges: Possession of marijuana more than 20 grams, Charges: Fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer at a high speed, Charges: Tampering with evidence, resisting without violence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and bond revoked for past charges of resisting an officer without violence, possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams, knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked and fleeing/eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren active, Charges: Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Charges: Possession of heroin, prostitution and possession of drug paraphernalia. 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