May 26, 2016
Operation Melting Pot was a Levy County Sheriff’s Office drug
operation which began in September 2014 and concluded in July 2015. A total of
68 arrest warrants were issued as a result. The operation name “Melting Pot”
was selected by lead investigator Robert Bowers because of the diversity of
drugs purchased through undercover operations during this investigation.
On Tuesday May 24, 2016 the only Melting Pot defendant to
take his case to trial thus far was found guilty. Quentin Koron Mitchell (8-29-1976) was charged with two counts each
of; Sale of Cocaine within 1000 feet of a School, Possession of Cocaine with
the Intent to Distribute and Unlawful Use of a 2 Way Communication Device to
Commit a Felony. Mitchell was sentenced by Judge Joseph E. Smith to 10 years in
the Florida Department of Corrections Prison System. However, this does not end
Mitchell’s issues. He was on supervised probation by the Federal Department of
Corrections for prior drug related offenses when he committed these crimes. His
probation was violated because of this arrest and he could face additional time
in Federal Prison.
To date, of the 68 defendants in this operation, 57 cases
have been brought to resolution through the courts and the defendants have pled
guilty. One defendant is currently being held in Federal Custody and one
defendant died as a result of an automobile crash prior to his arrest. The
remaining 9 unresolved cases should now move quicker through the justice
system.
Sheriff McCallum was very pleased with the outcome of this
trial. He said this should set the tone for the remainder of the pending cases
from the Melting Pot operation. The case against Mitchell was probably the most
difficult of all other Melting Pot arrests, and he applauds the dedication and
hard work of Investigator Robert Bowers, other LCSO personnel who participated
in the trial and the Assistant State Attorney team. Sheriff McCallum said ASA’s
Frank Slavichak and Lenora Floyd’s attention to detail and flawless presentation
to the jurors led to this successful verdict.
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Lt. Scott Tummond
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
Public Information
Levy County Sheriff's Office
(352) 486-5111
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