Initiative began in 2024
Operation Ice Break, a multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigation conducted by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office from 2024 to 2025, has resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals and the filing of 40 felony charges, the Sheriff’s Office announced on Dec. 30.
“This operation, targeting large-scale trafficking networks of fentanyl and methamphetamine, spanned multiple counties, culminating in the dismantling of significant drug distribution networks and the removal of high-level traffickers from the community,” a news release said.
Among the individuals arrested were the following, the release noted:
- Michael Chad Bennett, 47 of Sarasota, was charged with multiple counts, including trafficking in methamphetamine and fentanyl and sale of a controlled substance.
- Trisha Steffes, 44, of Venice, was charged with conspiracy and trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine.
- Andrew Scott, 32, of Bradenton, is facing charges related to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl.
- Kaitlyn Dupre, 28, of Bradenton, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl.
- Peter Thibodeau, 48, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in both methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as trafficking in methamphetamine.
- Rockford Upton, 57, of Bradenton, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Ashley Wehrlen, 41, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Alyssa Duross, 25, of Nokomis, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
- Jamie Edwards, 42, of Palmetto, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl.
- Dora Jean Dixon (Wilson), 59, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Walter Lint, 59, of Nokomis, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone; Dilaudid is one of that drug’s brand names, Wikipedia points out).
- Jesus Pineda, 39, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts) and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
- Eric Walker, 45, of Ona, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts).
- Jason Straub, 42, of Englewood, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts) and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
Two individuals had not been arrested as of Dec. 30, but warrants have been issued for them on the following charges, the release added:
- Jo’Kevious Bell, 34, of Bradenton; the charges relate to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl (three counts).
- Timothy Chipman, 50, of Arcadia, is facing charges related to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
“Several defendants are facing mandatory minimum sentences” because of drug trafficking thresholds, the release explained.
“Operation Ice Break highlights the commitment of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office to combat the opioid crisis and protect communities from the dangers posed by illicit drug trafficking,” the release continued. “The level of coordination and collaboration” among our Sheriff’s Office units, “as well as with our state and federal partners, has been exceptional,” the release added.
A spot check of warrants
In a review of the arrest warrant for Michael Chad Bennett of Sarasota, TheSarasota News Leader found that it explained that the Sheriff’s Office investigation into his alleged illegal distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl began in August 2022. The agency knew he sold “quantities of illegal narcotics,” it said.
“[T]he goal of this investigation was to identify the source of supply providing the illegal narcotics,” the warrant added. “This investigation began by using confidential sources (CS) and known sources who wished to remain anonymous who provided information in reference to Bennett’s Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO),” the warrant continued.
When a phone record analysis proved insufficient to determine his source of alleged supply, it said, officers began conducting physical and electronic surveillance, which resulted in the identification of several members of his organization.
Sheriff’s Office personnel also “believed that Bennett’s DTO extended outside of our local jurisdiction into Manatee County,” the warrant noted.
The 22-page warrant went on to provide details of Bennett’s activities while he was under surveillance, thanks to 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Padar’s signing of orders “Authorizing the Interception of Wire, Oral, and Electronic Communications” involving Bennett’s devices and those of a number of his associates.
The warrant includes quotes of comments Bennett was heard to have made during the investigation, as he spoke with alleged clients.
For example, on March 13, 2025, the warrant said, the Sheriff’s Office’s Investigative Agency intercepted a call to Bennett from Walter R. Lint Jr., 59. During the conversation, the warrant continued, Lint told Bennett he wanted to purchase “ ’10 [pills] for right now.’ Bennett advised Lint the price is ’25,’ ” which — the warrant explained — meant 10 pills for $25 a pill.
After Lint visited Bennett’s residence — then in Venice, the warrant noted — members of the Investigative Agency stopped Lint in his vehicle on North Tamiami Trail in Nokomis. After he was arrested, Lint admitted in an interview after he was read his Miranda rights that the pills found in his possession were Dilaudid “and not legal for him to possess,” the warrant pointed out.
Later the same day, the warrant continued, the Investigative Agency intercepted another call between Lint and Bennett, during which agency members heard Lint tell Bennett, “ ‘They’re watching you because I just got pulled over and jerked out of the car, and they f**king got the little thing you gave me.’ ”
The warrant proceeded to describe communications and transactions between Bennett and other defendants arrested in connection with Operation Ice Break.
The News Leader also reviewed the arrest warrant for Peter R. Thibodeau, which appeared to be identical to the one for Bennett.
In a search of the records that Sarasota County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Karen Rushing and her staff maintain, the News Leaderlearned that the earliest count against Bennett was lodged in March 2002, when he was charged with a DUI. He also has faced battery charges, along with counts of petit larceny and other drug charges. The first of the latter that the News Leader found in the records came in June 2009, regarding possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver the drug. Other drug possession counts date to 2011 and 2012.
In November 2015, for another example, Bennett was charged with smuggling contraband into a detention facility, along with Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.