Undercover investigation spanned nearly two years
On June 20, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office announced that 15 people had been arrested on multiple charges as a result of Operation Stamp Out, “an undercover investigation spanning nearly two years.”
That operation led to the confiscation of “significant quantities of fentanyl, crack and powder cocaine, other stimulants, substantial amounts of cash, and firearms,” a news release points out.
Detectives launched their investigation in the summer of 2022, the release adds. That led to the execution of two search warrants — at the residences of Anthony Alexander and Darrenton Trebbles, the release says. “Various illicit narcotics were found at each of the residences,” the release notes, including more than 5 kilograms of dimethylpentylone, a synthetic stimulant, which was discovered at Trebble’s home in Manatee County.
On June 10, the Sheriff’s Office’s “Special Investigations Section conducted a warrant sweep with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Sarasota Police Department (SPD), the North Port Police Department (NPPD),” and the Office of Statewide Prosecution-Fort Myers, which resulted in the seizure of 159.9 grams of fentanyl, 5,569.8 grams of cocaine, “7.5 grams of marijuana, approximately $218,000 in cash, two firearms, gold jewelry, and other illegal substances,” the release notes.
Combined, the operation resulted in 17 individuals being charged with a total of 60 felony counts, the release points out. The following 15 individuals were arrested:
- Anthony A. Alexander, 31, of 631 Carmel Road in Venice, has been charged with one count of Racketeering, eight counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Amphetamine/Cocaine, and six counts of Trafficking in Cocaine/Fentanyl.
- Darrenton Trebbles, 29, of 8449 Gardens Circle, No. 14, in Sarasota, has been charged with one count of Racketeering, three counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Amphetamine/Cocaine, five counts of Trafficking in Cocaine/Phenethylamines/Fentanyl, one count of Cocaine Possession with Intent to Sell/Manufacture/Deliver, and one count of Resisting Officer without Violence.
- Eric McClain, 39, of 661 Chamberlain Blvd. in Wauchula, has been charged with one count of Racketeering and three counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine/Amphetamine.
- Israel Corona, 42, of 5006 19thSt. E. in Bradenton, has been charged with one count of Racketeering, two counts of conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine, and one count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
- Porcha Graham, 36, of 794 Dedication Court in Nokomis, has been charged with one count of Racketeering, one count of Conspiracy to Traffic in Amphetamine, two counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine.
- Allen Roberts III, 28, of 2469 Van Lear Ave. in North Port, has been charged with one count of Racketeering and three counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine.
- Sammy Robinson, 33, of 2452 23rdSt. in Sarasota, has been charged with one count of Trafficking in Cocaine and one count of Trafficking in Fentanyl.
- Niko Curington, 29, of 2594 Abbeville Road in North Port, has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine.
- Antonio Charles, 36, of 802 Forest St. in Nokomis, has been charged with one count of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Horace Charles Jr., 62, of 802 Forest St. in Nokomis, has been charged with two counts of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Jerry Charles, 54, of 802 Forest St. in Nokomis, has been charged with one count of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Gerald Charles, 31, of 802 Forest St. in Nokomis, has been charged with one count of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Samtavia Robinson, 29, of 2449 N. Lemon Ave. in Sarasota, has been charged with two counts of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Clydrick Lewis, 38, of 513 Church St. in Nokomis, has been charged with two counts of Sale of Rock Cocaine.
- Rashard Rivers, 35, of 1524 E. Seventh St. in Bradenton, has been charged with one count of Cocaine Possession.
The following two individuals have active warrants for their arrest in connection to this operation, the release notes:
- Terrance Reed Sr., 55, of 2594 Abbeville Road in North Port, has been charged with one count of Racketeering and three counts of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine.
- Victor Schuler, 32, of 3496 Linden Drive in Sarasota, has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine and one count of Trafficking in Cocaine.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Reed and Schuler is being asked to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 941-316-1201 or Crime Stoppers at 941-366-8477, the release adds.
“I commend the almost two years of painstaking work put into Operation Stamp Out by the Special Investigations Section,” said Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman in the release. “Additionally, we appreciate and acknowledge the cooperation and outstanding efforts of the DEA, SPD, NPPD, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution-Fort Myers,” he continued. “Their contributions were significant in the successful outcome of this operation. Working together makes a difference in our community.”