January 20, 2017
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force Division (DTF)
and the Chiefland Police Department (CPD) combined forces yesterday to complete
an investigation which began months ago. Investigators with both agencies began
receiving citizen complaints in September of 2016 that the home located at 8841
NW 174 Street in Fanning Springs was being used to manufacture and sell
methamphetamines. Citizens reported an unusual chemical smell around this home and
an increase in both foot and vehicle traffic coming and going at all hours of
the night.
DTF investigators identified the home was owned by Michael
Austin Jones (3-25-53) and was often occupied by numerous other individuals.
Jones allowed a shed in his back yard to be converted into an apartment and
allowed a couple to move in. Investigators gained information that methamphetamine was purchased from the residence owned by Jones in September.
Shortly after 10 a.m. yesterday morning DTF investigators, CPD
investigators and members of the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division
executed a search warrant on Jones’ home. Investigators located and arrested
five (5) people on a myriad of charges ranging from possession of ammunition by
a convicted felon to manufacturing methamphetamines. In addition to these
arrests, investigators discovered an active methamphetamine lab in Jones’ room
which had to be rendered safe by HAZMAT trained investigators before a complete
search for additional narcotics in the home could be safely conducted.
The following images are the individuals arrested in this
operation and their charges upon their booking at the Levy County Detention
Facility. Additional charges are anticipated on some of these individuals as
this investigation continues.
Michael
Austin Jones (3-25-53)
· Two counts of Possession of Methamphetamine
· Two counts of Sale of Methamphetamine
Total Bond $200,000
Ronald
Wesley Stewart (6-9-60)
·
Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine
·
Sale of Methamphetamine
Total Bond $100,000
Nancy Kay
Barton (8-3-69)
·
2 counts of Possession with Intent to Sell
Methamphetamine
·
2 counts of Sale of Methamphetamine
Total Bond $200,000
Deanna Marie
Drew (11-29-85)
·
Possession of a Controlled Substance
(Methamphetamine)
·
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Total Bond $26,000
Philip Cody
Morgan (12-30-87) (Morgan was released from the Florida Department of
Corrections on 1-12-17)
·
Possession of Ammo by Convicted Felon
Total Bond $30,000
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