OPERATION MELTING POT

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.