Periodically, every Flagler County sheriff has conducted big, sweeping drug operations, netting dozens of arrests and playing up the sweep in news conferences, often with the state attorney or sheriffs from other counties joining the show of force.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly’s third operation of the sort–his first was in September 2017, his second in May 2018–he described as “the largest undercover operation Flagler County has ever seen,” with 40 felony arrest warrants and 23 arrests by the time Staly announced it at a press conference with State Attorney R.J. Larizza at his side. (The May 2018 operation netted actually 45 arrests.As with the May operation, several of those charged today were already in jail, charged over the last few months, with additional charges that may have been served today.)
Sha’Quan Robinson, 26, a waste hauler’s employee, was allegedly selling heroin on his route across town. Derick McKay, 36, was hiding drugs in his butt. Corey Richard Lynch, 36, had a hidden compartment in his car’s glove box, to hide weapons and drugs.
Robinson’s case was among the most startling: He “sold heroin to an undercover detective while dressed in his Waste Pro uniform and traveling on the back of a Waste Pro truck,” the sheriff said. “The truck pulled over, Robinson completed the sale of heroin, and then the truck resumed its normal trash pick-up route.”
All but one of those arrested today are from Flagler County, overwhelmingly from Palm Coast. The exception was a Daytona Beach resident. “The eight-month long operation brought to light offenders from all walks of life, all ages, and from all areas of Flagler County,” the sheriff said. “Drug dealers have no boundaries and no ethnic group is immune.”
The names of the drug operations are hokey–“Operation Heat Seeker,” “Operation Spring Cleaning,” today’s “Operation Heat Wave”–though the motive behind them is not: None of the suspects was arrested for mere possession. All were arrested for alleged sales–of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, Synthetic Cathinones and other drugs, the addictive substances at the heart of the opioid crisis that took 70,000 lives from overdoses in 2017 alone, and 68,500 lives in 2018. Last year was the first in 30 years that the total number of overdose deaths declined.
There have been 30 suspected drug overdoses in the county so far this year, most of them non-fatal. Sheriff’s deputies have administered 21 doses of Narcan, the emergency antidote that restores normal breathing in the victim of an overdose.
And while Circuit Judge Chris France signed the warrants “with high bonds,” Staly said, many were expected to be back on the streets, as has always been the case previously, as Staly himself underscored in describing the histories of some of the suspects he named today: “Many names are repeat offenders well known to our deputies,” the sheriff said. “All dealers in this operation have previously been arrested a combined 534 times. I hope the judicial system takes a hard line with these poison peddlers and sends them off to prison. They’re not drug users. These are people that are selling poison to our sons, daughters, parents and friends that in some cases have the potential to be deadly.”
Most of the time it isn’t the judicial system’s fault that suspects end up back on the streets, as is commonly believed, but rather the result of poorly executed arrests on insufficient evidence that prosecutors don’t believe they can sustain in court, or, often, the result of prosecutorial discretion in deals that downgrade the original charge in exchange for a plea. Judges rarely exercise “downward departures,” meaning impose lower sentences, from those recommended by sentencing guidelines. But they usually stick with a plea agreement’s recommended sentence as devised by the prosecution and the defense.
Take Robinson, the Waste Pro employee who was allegedly selling heroin: just eight weeks ago he was found guilty of possession of pot and possession of a controlled substance, the latter a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to two years probation. It was a plea agreement. He’s been arrested 12 times overall, according to the sheriff, four times in Flagler since 2017.
The sheriff outlined today’s sweep’s take by numbers: over 28 grams of Fentanyl and Heroin, over 124 grams Cocaine, over 98 grams of Synthetic Cathinones, over 8 grams of Methamphetamine, 3.6 pounds of pot and THC Oil, over 68 grams of other controlled substances, with a total street value of nearly $41,000. At one point the sheriff said the amount of fentanyl and heroin seized was “enough to kill 14,000 people.” It was somewhat of an exaggeration: fentanyl alone, which is about 100 times more potent than heroin, is considered by the Drug Enforcement Agency to be lethal at 2 milligrams–often compared to a few grains of sand–and 28 grams of fentanyl would, theoretically, be enough for 14,000 lethal doses. But the 28-gram figure was a combination of heroin and fentanyl, heroin often being laced with fentanyl.
Unlike previous such news conferences, both Staly and Larizza this time spoke of the need for legislators to pay more meaningful attention to treatment options by appropriating sufficient dollars to those efforts, which lag in Flagler: there is not a single treatment bed for a male drug addict in the county.
“I have a message to our federal and state leaders,” Staly said. “Treatment for addiction must be funded properly so that addicts can become clean and become productive citizens. Without addicts, we would not have drug dealers. It’s time to fund treatment at the levels properly needed.”
Larizza spoke likewise. “The folks in the communities are getting sick and tired of these open air drug markets,” Larizza said, “and I think something that’s sometimes lost is the collateral consequences of drug sales and drug abuse in these communities. I mean, folks are dying in these communities, there’s kids that are walking around watching these transactions happen. There’s intimidation, there’s recruitment.” He then agreed with the sheriff: “We have to have a more comprehensive approach. We truly need to address the demand side and help folks to find ways to get off these highly addictive and deadly drugs, and we also need to find ways to support folks in the community that are calling in, that are concerned about the impact that the individuals that are engaging in this activity are having upon their neighborhoods, their families and their friends.”
Larizza later spoke of how, over his career, he’s prosecuted three generations of individuals from the very same families, a cycle showing no sign of ending.
Following is the list of those arrested or wanted in the sweep, as provided by the sheriff’s office:
1. Jamie Bullock of Flagler Beach; Sale of Cocaine and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
2. Jerrold Burnham of Bunnell; Sale of Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
3. Taj Butler of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
4. Kelly Calimer of Palm Coast; Trafficking Phenethylamines (10-200g) and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
5. Diandra Clark-Stannard of Palm Coast; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
6. David Connelly of Palm Coast; Sale of Synthetic Cathinones.
7. Salina Cox of Bunnell; Sale of Heroin and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
8. Elijah Desimone of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Convenience Business.
9. Raymond Dukes of Palm Coast; Sale of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
10. Joshua Forbes of Palm Coast; Sale of Hydromorphone and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
11. Robert Galvin of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
12. Rondal Gibson of Palm Coast; Sale of Synthetic Cathinones and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
13. Shamine Giddens of Bunnell; Sale of Oxycodone.
14. Jodi Henry of Palm Coast; Sale of Hydromorphone and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
15. Wilbert Hough Jr. of Palm Coast; Sale of Synthetic Cathinones and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
16. Rudy Hunter of Bunnell; Trafficking Phenethylamines (10-200g) and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
17. Cornelius Johnson of Daytona Beach; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
18. Eric Johnson of Palm Coast; Sale of Synthetic Cathinones.
19. Adam Jordan of Bunnell; Sale of Fentanyl and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
20. Tony Lanning of Palm Coast; Sale of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
21. Mia Lindsay of Palm Coast; Trafficking Cocaine (28-200g) and Trafficking Oxycodone (7-14g).
22. Travis Lodato of Palm Coast; Sale of Oxycodone.
23. Corey Lynch of Palm Coast; Armed Trafficking of Fentanyl, Possession of Heroin with intent to Distribute, Possession of Synthetic Cathinones, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
24. Dillon Mays of Bunnell; Sale of Cannabis within 1,000 feet of a Convenience Business.
25. Deque McCall of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
26. Jayquan McCaskell of Bunnell; Sale of Heroin.
27. Caswayla McCaster of Palm Coast; Sale of Cocaine.
28. Derick McKay of Palm Coast; Sale of Cocaine, Trafficking Phenethylamines, Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Sell, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Sell.
29. Michael McRoberts of Palm Coast; Sale of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Child Care Facility.
30. Christian Melendez of Palm Coast; Trafficking Heroin (4-14g).
31. Glen Moratto of Palm Coast; Sale of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
32. Octavious Ray of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
33. Sha’Quan Robinson of Bunnell; Sale of Heroin and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
34. Spencer Sarmento of Bunnell; Sale of Methamphetamine.
35. Kiedra Smith of Palm Coast; Sale of Oxycodone.
36. Carmen Tucker of Palm Coast; Sale of Synthetic Cathinones.
37. Cory Waring of Palm Coast; Sale of THC Oil, Sale of Oxycodone, Trafficking Cocaine and Oxycodone, and Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device.
38. Gladys Warren of Bunnell; Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
39. Margaret Watkins of Palm Coast; Sale of Heroin within 1,000 feet of a Public Park.
40. Lee Wiley of Palm Coast; Sale of Heroin and Sale of Methamphetamine.
Steve says
Nice job Its a whos who in The County
Richard says
One person out of forty is from Flagler Beach. What does THAT tell you? Thank you Sheriff Staly and all of the Flagler Beach Police Department for an outstanding job of keeping that criminal element out of Flagler Beach.
Also, hard to not notice that 23 of the 40 are African-American. I guess I am now a racist for pointing that out.
To bad says
Well do not commit a crime
Hmmm says
Yes Richard, you are a racist for pointing that out. 23 is just over half. So lets do race check on the other 17. You had 2 points, and one was about the color of someones skin. So what do you call that?
Dave says
Richard, noticing that most are people of color does not make you racist, it makes you liberal , you are pointing out how obviously the sheriffs department is targeting the black community over the white which is very typical across the Country. This is something we need to change.
Jamibad says
@Richard ” One person out of forty is from Flagler Beach.” Reread the article, Here’s what was written ” All but one of those arrested today are from Flagler County, ” I’m sorry, not trying to be nit picky, And I voted for our sheriff ! he’s a damn good sheriff! You got that correct! good Job Sheriff Staly !!
sunning turtle says
We have the BEST sheriff!
Laurie says
And Judge Perkins will give them a slap on the wrist, and put them right back on the streets
BlueJammers says
A tremendous thanks to Sheriff Staly and the brave men and women of Flagler Law Enforcement. Great police work!
Charles "Bub" Robson says
Keep up the good work FCSO, book all the dopers. Stay safe out there Deputies, & Police.
James says
There’s plenty of drugs in Flagler beach, just haven’t been caught ya big dummy
Diane says
WE must stop ithe criminal activity. It is good to know that we stand and fight for what is right. Criminals and low lifes will move some where else and do there bad business. Thank you for doing your job. You are saving lives. Thank you for risking yours.
S.Peters says
@Richard…I’m sure you were a racist way before needing to point out the number of African Americans arrested. And wow a whopping 6 more than the others. Not even double digits there. Must be so proud to be keeping track of these factoids. Guess you think we need MORE RACISM, as if there’s not enough already. Sad..
Don says
Little town in New York State with a population of 22,098 people had a Police drug raid. They arrested 139. You need to do better Deputy Dog, your slipping !
Ben Dover says
Geez , they are all from Flagler Country , Palm Coast has more because we have a much much bigger population than Flagler Bch, and there are plenty in Flagler Bch , but again because of the difference in population the FCSO has 95% if not more of it`s deputies in Palm Coast , not Flagler Bch , but guess expecting common sense thinking is too much to ask in these parts.
Really says
Being targeted ? yeah right, because they do the crime. Ethnic origin doesnt matter. Buh bye
Willy Boy says
41k steet value. Is that the MSRP? Also, “somewhat of an exaggeration.” Flagler has some poorly paid drug dealers.
Lnzc says
Good job sheriff,but don’t wait 8 months watching the dopeheads,get them as soon as you know
concerned says
If he was on the back of the truck, was the person driving the truck also arrested?
FlaglerLive says
We asked the question at the news conference. The driver was not.
MarkingTheDays says
Jamibad,
Flagler Beach is a CITY within Flagler COUNTY.
LawAbidingCitizen says
for those of you who think these Deputies are profiling African American flagler county residents, you are insane. just about all of these MEN OF COLOR, all have previous records, mostly for drug dealing. these Deputies get used to seeing their faces, making it easier to catch them. There is no profiling or racism here. if these drug dealers weren’t committing crimes, they would be left alone. this is not a black or white thing, its intelligent vs ignorant. these idiots whether white or black, get in trouble, go to jail/prison, get out and pick up where they left off, and when they get in trouble again. everybody is mad at the deputies for profiling or racism. they do there job, and arrest people committing crimes. Im sorry these drug dealers don’t want to work like the rest of us, but these are the consequences should they choose to sell drugs
Richard says
Last time I looked at a map of Florida, there is a BIG difference between Flagler County and Flagler Beach, not trying to be nit-picky but maybe you should get your facts straight before posting. Possibly re-read the article once again. Plus to those that posted about me being racist, at least I admitted it. I am now like the other 63 million other American’s who voted for Trump.
Lamo says
Why make it harder on the ones serving the warrants, by releasing a press conference, before the arrest are made???
Stretchem says
Maybe we, as a society, should also start shaming the buyers? Publish their photos and information, then perhaps that will deter and embarrass the users enough to not buy?
“Is that Johnson from accounting?”
Just saying. The current methods for the War On Drugs simply isn’t working.
The Realist says
Dave you need a reality check. Stop putting colors on things and just see criminals for what they are..criminals. If someone breaks intp your house and they happen to be black will that mean you will refrain from calling the cops? Because in your deluded mind there is a disproportionate amount of black people incarcerated in this county. I’m betting that you will be calling 911 and if not we’ll have fun with that.
LawAbidingCitizen says
@ DAVE
so what your saying is stop arresting COLORED people who sell drugs and just focus on the Caucasian dope dealers…
color shouldn’t matter in this situation, they all were caught selling drugs, CAUGHT!!!!! they should get arrested, and face jail time. stop the racial nonsense, these people made a conscious decision to sell drugs (break the law). they deserve whatever comes to them
noneyobuz says
3/4 of these individuals already bonded out!
snapperhead says
“Unlike previous such news conferences, both Staly and Larizza this time spoke of the need for legislators to pay more meaningful attention to treatment options by appropriating sufficient dollars to those efforts, which lag in Flagler: there is not a single treatment bed for a male drug addict in the county.
“I have a message to our federal and state leaders,” Staly said. “Treatment for addiction must be funded properly so that addicts can become clean and become productive citizens. Without addicts, we would not have drug dealers. It’s time to fund treatment at the levels properly needed.”
Larizza spoke likewise. “The folks in the communities are getting sick and tired of these open air drug markets,” Larizza said, “and I think something that’s sometimes lost is the collateral consequences of drug sales and drug abuse in these communities. I mean, folks are dying in these communities, there’s kids that are walking around watching these transactions happen. There’s intimidation, there’s recruitment.” He then agreed with the sheriff: “We have to have a more comprehensive approach. We truly need to address the demand side and help folks to find ways to get off these highly addictive and deadly drugs, and we also need to find ways to support folks in the community that are calling in, that are concerned about the impact that the individuals that are engaging in this activity are having upon their neighborhoods, their families and their friends.”
Be careful gentlemen…keep up that line of thought and you’ll be labeled RINO’s or liberals. be mindful that the Trump clan would rather you LOCK THEM UP! .
CB from PC says
Ya’ know, my trash pickup was getting later and later.
The trash collectors are supposed to take away the “junk”,
not deliver it.
Seriously, most of these people are repeat offenders.
One can see by the smiling expressions in the booking photos they are truly remorseful.
I guess they just heard they are to be arraigned in front of Judge Perkins.
deb says
@ Dave, Dave you need a to come down from you’;re mountain and look at the real world. If a person of color is selling drugs arrest them if a white person is selling drugs arrest them. Either one of these dealers could have sold drugs that could have taken someones life. Hopefully the courts will keep these delaers off the streets. Color doesn’t mater.
SMH says
Article comes out and several of these people already bonded out. They will be right back to doing what they were before getting caught. I don’t see how anyone can say it was a job well done. SMH
Name (required) says
Look at all the sanctimonious commenters! always crusading for their cause. It’s almost like the world needs to understand that it’s totally ok to not join the irresistible conversation. You folks have too much “information” at your fingertips. Be it race, politics, society, etc; make your message somewhat thought provoking and meaningful, possibly even less abrasive and redundant. You may have an internet bullhorn, but your “e-crusade” is your own. Accepting differing views is merely part of American culture. Maybe some of you forgot that. Log off, take a walk, reflect. Be more PRO-Active than So simply.. RE-Active. Your communities need your righteous help after all… so, actually do something about it, ya know, since you all carry such fervent passion about the subject. Wow.
Ben Dover says
If you voted for Trump the first time around ,then you maybe were taken in by a con man ,if you still support Trump and vote for him again then you ARE a racist and complicit in many worse things than that ,he is an Absolute Horror Of A Human Being
Agkistrodon says
And as one preaches about being “sanctimonius”, they are in fact displaying the DICTIONARY meaning of being “Sanctiimonious”……….
Bootyboi55 says
We need all drugs to be made legal. Who’s with me? Booyah!
The Geode says
@ Agkistrodon – Good to know that somebody else caught that. Some people are SO “preachy”, they are walking contradictions. Maybe they should write a book filled with so many contradictions, people will be willing to kill each other while felling righteous …
Leon Jackson says
Ben,
That is the dumbest shit I have ever heard. I’m Black and I voted for Trump! So go sell hate somewhere else.
Ryan says
Let’s keep the false racist claims to ourselves please. These were real drug busts,