MEDIA RELEASE
Cedar Key, Florida-On April 28, 2010 the Levy County Sheriff's and the US Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Anthony Lee Ralph for a felony Levy County warrant. The wanted fugitive led agents to the Fine residence and subsequently Brian Fine, Kathryn Fine, Frank McCain and Jerry Rains were arrested.
Anthony Lee Ralph has been a wanted fugitive since May 26, 2009 and has a violent criminal history. The Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals have had knowledge that Brian Fine has been involved in the criminal activity of manufacturing and selling methamphetamine from his residence located at 10930 SW 60 Street.
While Agents were arresting Ralph they observed a heavy fog of smoke and a strong chemical odor. Agents recognized the odor as a meth lab coming from a shed. Upon Kathryn & Brian Fine walking outside from the residence there was marijuana smoke bellowing from the residence. Kathryn Fine had her 14 month old daughter in her arms when she was taken into custody. Frank McCain and Jerry Rains were in the shed and there was active a meth lab in full operation. The Drug Task Force secured everyone and the Honorable Judge Tim Browning signed a drug search warrant for the residence and the shed. Drug Agents seized 14 guns, hundred of rounds of ammunition, 13 mature marijuana plants, lithium strips, anhydrous ammonia, and pseudoephedrine pills.
Brian Fine called his property the "Compound" which is in a very remote area in Cedar Key. Fine would brag that law enforcement could not penetrate the Compound and he would have look outs along the roadway and in the woods. Drug Agents not only penetrated the Compound but arrested five individuals that were involved and supplying meth users in the area.
Sheriff Smith said that "I have a zero tolerance for any criminal activity and especially the narcotic business". "I am very pleased with the Drug Task Force and the assistance that the US Marshals gave in this investigation" Smith contributes this operation being successful and no one getting injured in a highly volatile situation to training, experienced officers that are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
Defendant:
Anthony Lee Ralph, White Male, 01/03/80. Arrested for Violation of probation felony warrant, possession of listed chemicals, manufacturing methamphetamine, and resisting arrest with violence, possession of methamphetamine and sale of methamphetamine.
Brian Nathan Fine, White Male, 02/12/75. Arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals, possession of methamphetamine, cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, child neglect, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition buy a convicted felon, maintaining a drug dwelling and possession of counterfeit bills.
Kathryn Leigh Fine, white female, 01/26/82. Arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals, cultivation of marijuana, child neglect, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining drug dwelling and possession of counterfeit bills.
Frank Lester McCain Jr., white male, 11/29/78. Manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of listed chemical.
Jerry Lee Rains, White Male, 08/18/59. Arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of listed chemicals.
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