July
27, 2015
LCSO announces the conclusion of
a long term drug investigation that began in September of 2014. The investigation began when Investigators
from the LCSO Criminal Investigation Division (CID) shared a confidential source
of information with members of the Levy County Drug Task Force (DTF). The Drug Task Force Investigators were able
to use that source to develop intelligence that ultimately led to a significant
number of undercover narcotic purchases throughout Levy County.
Investigators chose the name
“Melting Pot” for the operation because of the diversity of the locations, drug
types and offenders who were caught in the net of the operation. The investigation began in September of 2014
and concluded in May of 2015. During
that time Investigators were able to make 72 controlled purchases of illegal
drugs from 67 different suspects in Levy
County. The illegal purchases were made in the
Bronson, Williston, Morriston and Inglis areas of the county. The drug types purchased included heroin,
cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and MDMA (also known as
“Molly”). Various prescription medications
were also purchased which included oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone,
morphine, oxycontin and suboxone.
After all of the purchases, DTF
investigators, led by Case Agent Rob Bowers, set about the monumental task of organizing
their evidence and preparing each case for prosecution. They prepared arrest affidavits for each case
and ultimately obtained 67 arrest warrants for the suspects in this
Operation. LCSO Deputies, along with the
assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Service Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force,
began arresting the suspects on July 20, 2015.
The arrest phase of the operation is continuing at this time.
LCSO would like to acknowledge
the assistance we received from the U.S. Marshal’s Service Florida Regional
Fugitive Task Force, State Attorney Bill Cervone’s Office and others who have
helped make this operation one of the most successful drug operations in Levy County
history.
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OPERATION MELTING POT
SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS
Tyree Brown (aka Lil One)
Brown
was arrested for Sale
of cocaine, Possession of cocaine with intent to sell and Unlawful use of a
two-way communication device. Brown's criminal history includes 29 Felony
charges and 4 Felony convictions. Brown has a violent history with Law
Enforcement and is a member of an upper level cocaine organization in Williston, Florida.
Aaron McKnight (aka Ace)
McKnight
was arrested for Sale
of cocaine, Possession of cocaine with intent to sell and Unlawful use of a
two-way communication device. McKnight's criminal history includes 32 Felony
Charges and 24 Felony convictions.
Quentin Mitchell (aka Bill)
Mitchell
was arrested for Sale
of cocaine within 1000 feet of a school (2 counts), Possession of cocaine with
intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school (2 counts) and Unlawful use of a
two-way communication device (2 counts). Mitchell's criminal history includes
26 Felony charges and 7 Felony convictions. Mitchell is currently on Federal
probation for narcotics offenses and a Federal Arrest Warrant has been issued
charging Mitchell with Violation of Supervised Release. A Detainer has been
placed on Mitchell by the U.S. Marshal's.
Gerald Ross (aka Pony Boy)
Ross
was arrested for Sale
of cocaine (2 counts), Possession of cocaine with intent to sell (2 counts) and
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (2 counts). Ross was sentenced
to 10 years in Federal Prison in 1998 for Conspiracy to distribute and
Possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Ross's State level criminal
history includes 14 Felony charges and 8 Felony convictions. Ross is a
convicted Sex Offender and an upper level cocaine supplier in Williston, Florida.
Martinus Monroe (aka
Poochie)
Monroe was arrested for Sale of cocaine (2 counts), Possession of
cocaine with intent to sell (2 counts) and Unlawful use of a two-way
communication device (2 counts). Monroe's
criminal history includes 7 Felony charges and 2 felony convictions. Monroe is also a member of an upper level cocaine
organization in Williston, Florida.
Leon Snow (aka Poncho)
Snow
was arrested for Sale
of methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Snow's criminal history
includes 24 Felony charges and 13 felony convictions.
Carlos McNeal (aka Los)
McNeal
was arrested for Sale of cocaine within 1000
feet of a church, Possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1000 feet of
a church, Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (2 counts), Sale of cocaine and
possession of cocaine with intent to sell. McNeal's criminal history includes
18 Felony charges and 1 felony conviction.
Brian Rackley
Rackley
was arrested for Sale
of heroin within 1000 feet of a convenience store, Possession of heroin with
intent to sell within 1000 feet of a convenience store and Unlawful use of a
two-way communication device. Rackley is a significant supplier of heroin in Levy County
and his criminal history includes 11 Felony charges and 5 felony convictions.
