Marion County drug unit touts successful start to 2021
Note: An earlier version of this story reported an incorrect figure for the number of men and women arrested during the first quarter of 2021.
During a news conference Wednesday, the county s Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) announced that during the first quarter of 2021 it has arrested 83 men and women on drug charges and confiscated hundreds of pounds of drugs.
Several of those arrested could face manslaughter-related offenses if their drug activity led to deaths.
Some of the confiscated drugs were displayed in a glass case. The display included more than 300 marijuana plants and an additional 300 pounds packaged for distribution, 2 kilograms of cocaine, more than 30 pounds of crystal meth, or ice, and 3 kilograms of fentanyl.
27 months in prison for Ocala man accused of drugs/weapon possession
A 39-year-old man facing drugs and weapons charges was sentenced to 27 months in prison on Thursday.
Brad Hutchins pleaded no contest to cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis more than 20 grams, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Hutchins defense attorney, Jerrod Williams, asked the judge if his client, who is out on bond, could report to the Marion County Jail within a few days. The judge denied the request.
Outside the courtroom, Williams said his client was living the American dream and doing well for himself, despite his past. State records show Hutchins spent 10 years in prison for drug and weapons charges. He was released in March 2015.
Two Marion residents face murder indictment in drug overdose death
Two Marion County residents have been charged with murder of a government witness, conspiracy to murder a government witness and conspiracy to distribute the methamphetamine and fentanyl that caused the victim s death.
David Chappell Fey, 56, of Belleview, and Shari Lynn Gunter, 57, of Ocklawaha, could face life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty as charged, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Local court records show Fey has several convictions including battery and drug possession. Fey doesn t have any local pending charges.