Eight members of a Central Florida drug trafficking group primarily based in Webster have been arrested on federal expenses. The arrested suspects are from Webster, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
The drug operation spanned Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Sumter County, and Pinellas County.
United States Lawyer Roger Handberg introduced the unsealing of an indictment charging seven people with drug trafficking offenses. The indictment additionally notifies the people that the US intends to forfeit a purple Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol and various ammunition. An eighth particular person was charged by legal criticism.
- 46-year-old Clarence Ford, Jr., of Webster
- 35-year-old Willie Ford III, of Webster
- 41-year-old Justin Demon Lowery, of Webster
- 25-year-old Matthew Stanley Simmons III, of New Port Richey
- 44-year-old Antwan D. Williams, of Webster
- 30-year-old William Cody Ferguson, of Tampa
- 56-year-old Johnny Leanda Harris, of Webster
- 36-year-old Theron Mathews, of New Port Richey
In accordance with court docket filings and knowledge introduced throughout the detention hearings, Clarence Ford, Jr. served as a important supply of provide for methamphetamine within the Webster space. His drug trafficking group stretched into Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Sumter County, and Pinellas County.
Ford equipped medicine to Willie Ford, Matthew Simmons, Justin Lowery, Antwan Williams, and Johnny Harris. These people are allegedly liable for distributing greater than 2,970 grams of methamphetamine and roughly 129 grams of fentanyl and conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine throughout the conspiracy.
On Could 14, 2024, brokers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the seven people charged by indictment. Throughout a search warrant executed at Simmons’s residence, brokers positioned fentanyl, scales, blenders, and firearms. Consequently, Simmons’s roommate, Theron Mathews, was arrested and charged by way of a legal criticism.
In whole, the brokers seized 11 firearms, roughly 800 grams of fentanyl, roughly 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, 2 kilogram press machines, a capsule press machine, and $40,000 in money from members of the group throughout arrest operations.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Division, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Workplace, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Workplace. It is going to be prosecuted by Assistant United States Lawyer Samantha Beckman. Assistant United States Lawyer Suzanne Nebesky is dealing with the forfeiture.
