After 150 overdoses, Pinellas detectives arrest over 30 people in Lealman drug bust operation
By FOX 13 News staff
Published
File image of cocaine (Courtesy: DEA)
LEALMAN, Fla. - Pinellas County deputies said they made dozens of arrests during an operation targeting narcotic sales in the East Lealman area.
Detectives said they learned narcotic transactions at three locations led to over 150 fatal and non-fatal overdoses between December 2020 and January 2021.
The locations were:
2524 50th Avenue North, St. Petersburg
4819 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg
By the end of the investigation, detectives said there were a total of 35 suspects with 69 charges that include drug sales and possession of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
A three-day jury trial remains scheduled for May 24 in Fourth Judicial District Court in Sheridan for Donald Brower, who is charged with two felonies for allegedly distributing drugs to a minor. Brower, at an arraignment hearing in November, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges of Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance to a Minor- Marijuana, and Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance to a Juvenile- Marijuana. The alleged crimes occurred between October 3rd and 4th of 2020.
During a pretrial conference in District Court Thursday, Sheridan County Attorney Dianna Bennett and Defense Attorney Travis Smith said negotiations for a plea agreement are continuing to take place. District Court Judge John Fenn said the jury trial will remain on the court docket as a #2 stack trial, behind a case that is being handled by Judge William Edelman. If convicted on both counts, Brower faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.
Hunter 04/16/21 Three men were arrested for meth possession Thursday night after a generator fell of a trailer they were hauling. According to arrest reports,
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A Delaware driver who almost hit another vehicle in Chester County who refused to submit a chemical test of his blood tried to leave heroin and other narcotics in the back of a police car, authorities said.
Police stopped William J. Roy IV, on the 100 block of Prospect Avenue in West Grove around 9:55 p.m. April 6, the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department said in a release.
Officers noticed signs of impairment upon making contact with Roy, 30, of Bear, DE, who subsequently failed field sobriety tests, police said.
Roy was arrested for suspicion of DUI, but refused to submit to a chemical test of his blood, authorities said.
April 15, 2021
Keokuk, Ia- The Lee County Narcotics Task Force reports the arrest of a Keokuk man on Felony and Misdemeanor drug charges.
49-year-old John Soper ok Keokuk was arrested on Tuesday, April 13th near the intersection of 18th St. and High St. in Keokuk.
Soper was arrested for 3 outstanding warrants for Delivery of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent offense, and unlawful possession of prescription pills.
The arrest of Soper stems from a traffic stop conducted by the Keokuk Police Department following reports of a disturbance in the area. Soper’s delivery charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force of Soper selling methamphetamine in the Lee County area.