Over $746,000 of illegal drugs and 31 drug dealers are now off the streets after a nearly year-long countywide undercover operation targeting drug dealers in Flagler County by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO).
FCSO’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) seized 4 firearms, just over $6400 in cash, and over 1.3 kilograms of various kinds of drugs in Operation Heartbreaker, including cocaine, fentanyl,methamphetamine, cannabis, and MDMA. At the time of this release, 31 of the 43 arrest warrants have been served by SIU detectives as part of this operation, according to Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
“I want to commend our undercover team, Special Investigations Unit, Evidence, CSI, PACE Unit and our patrol teams but especially our community that has spoken up saying they don’t want this poison in their neighborhoods,” Sheriff Staly added. “When they saw something, they said something. We investigate every tip, and today you see the results of your tips. We will never know how many overdoses or deaths we prevented with this undercover operation.”
All of the 48 suspects in Operation Heartbreaker face at least one charge of selling or intent to sell illegal drugs, including five whose identities are being withheld as investigators continue to actively work these cases. Most of the suspects arrested are Flagler County residents.
As a result of the Operation Heartbreaker, the following were arrested:
1.) Keith Bryant, Sale of Fentanyl, Sale of Cocaine.
2.) Michael Macnamara, Possession of Schedule 2 Substance.
3.) Russell Hillard III, Sale of Cocaine, Sale of Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
4.) Tony Lanning, Sale of a Controlled Substance.
5.) Stephanie Raimundo, Trafficking Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
6.) Keith Coyne, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
7.) [Editor’s note: an individual’s name was included in this list that appears to have been included in error: a different, lesser charge of possession than the release stated was filed in January 2023, the case ended in a plea, with adjudication withheld, in September.]
8.) Daniel Paulo, Cocaine Possession, Drug Paraphernalia.
9.) Derick Farquharson, Trafficking Cocaine, Trafficking Fentanyl.
10.) Alden Bradshaw, Trafficking Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
11.) Robert Elkins, Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
12.) Glib Fedotov, Possession of Synthetic Cathinones.
13.) Erin Stevenson, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
14.) Todd Blanchard, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
15.) Troy Reddin, Possession of Oxycodone.
16.) Andrew Jones, Possession of Fentanyl.
17.) Brett Savage, Trafficking Synthetic Cathinones.
18.) Jason Kjersgaard, Sale of Controlled Substance.
19.) Christian Grasso, Sale of Controlled Substance, Possession of Fentanyl.
20.) Jenni Paris, Possession of Fentanyl.
21.) Mandy Mazzarese, Sale of a Controlled Substance.
22.) Leroy Sampson, Sr., Sale of Cocaine.
23.) Chancey Watson, Sale of Synthetic Cathinones, Unlawful use of a two-way device.
24.) Paula Raymond, Trafficking Methamphetamine.
25.) Anthony Mascarella, Trafficking of Methamphetamine, Unlawful use of a two-way device.
26.) Carlos Hubbert, Sale of Cocaine, Unlawful use of a two-way device.
27.) Elisha Phillips, Sale of Cocaine.
28.) Deandre McCall, Sale of Synthetic Cathinones, Sale of Cocaine.
29.) Patrick Miller, Sale of Methamphetamine, Sale of Fentanyl.
30.) William Phillps, Sale of Cocaine within 1000’ of a Public Park.
31.) Richard Knoblaugh II, Sale of Fentanyl.
The following drug dealers are wanted and are currently being sought:
1.) Edward Hupp III, Sale of Synthetic Cathinones, Sale of Fentanyl.
2.) Eric Felder, Trafficking of Synthetic Cathinones, Unlawful use of a two-way device.
3.) Ernest Hall Jr., Sale of Cocaine within 1000’ of a Public Park (2), Sale of Fentanyl within 1000’ of a Public Park, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
4.) Jaquadis Johnson, Sale of Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
5.) Jerry Murphy III, Sale of Cocaine, Sale of Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
6.) Johnnie Emanuel, Sale of Synthetic Cathinones.
7.) Moses Warren, Trafficking of Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, Possession of Schedule 2 Substance, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Cocaine.
8.) Rodrick Williams Jr., Sale of Cocaine within 1000’ of a Public Park, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
9.) Shamine Giddens, Sale of Cocaine, Sale of Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
10.) Solomon Coley III., Sale of Synthetic Cathinones, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
11.) Stanley Hankerson III, Sale of Methamphetamine (2), Sale of Cocaine.
12.) Terance Johnson, Sale of Cocaine, Sale of Synthetic Cathinones.
Sheriff Staly says it’s only a matter of time before FCSO rounds up the rest of the poison peddlers.
“If you are on this list and have not been arrested yet, just call us or go to the Green Roof Inn and turn yourself in,” Sheriff Staly added. “That way, you don’t have to look over your shoulder wondering when we will be arrested because I promise you, if you are one of these poison peddlers, we will get you. This should also be a warning to drug dealers that, if you are not listed in this operation and you are selling poison in our community, I suggest you get out of Flagler County because you are next! And if you sell a fatal dose of poison, we will investigate you until we can lock you up for murder.”
dividder+
The Geode says
WHAT A JOKE! How can they claim to have $750K in drugs but arrested 31 people and netted only $6K? At that rate it would take 500 years to sell that amount of drugs. I can tell you for FACT, there is not KILOS of drugs in this rinky-dink town. If you counted every “weed-head, coke-head, fent-head, molly-head, or fat-head” along with every other citizen in this town, you couldn’t come up with $750K.
The embellishment with these people are STAGGERING! Every time they do this shit, they pick up a few junkies and people selling nickels and dimes. People (mostly whites that don’t know how the “streets” work) jump up and down gushing about how wonderful our law enforcement is when in reality, they’re making up “king-pin stories” and placing it on people that couldn’t come up with $50 if their lives depended on it.
But hey, If you people are buying it, FCSO is willing to sell it to you. Makes for good television to stand there and give your best “Grady Judd” impression – except Grady Judd brags about catching REAL creminals…
BMW says
It’s amazing how you had to turn it around on “mostly whites that don’t know …” The sober truth of the matter is it only takes one dose of fentanyl to kill. And, unlike you, a bad dose doesn’t see color or social status. Should a handful of these folk find the hand up they need to turn their lives around, then the process will have been well worth it as their neighborhoods do not benefit from these illicit activities.
Robjr says
Yeah those numbers don’t add up. Or they add up but don’t make sense.
Arresting a couple of nickel and dime pushers is great for PR.
How about the people who are doing the purchasing.
jamie says
I’m struck of the amount of “ill gotten gains”, versus the large amount of people arrested. (Oh and a whopping 4 guns.) If the numbers of these items are correct I’m wondering what the cost of this operation was for this dragnet.
I don’t have an opinion, I’m just wondering if this was worth the investment. Or, was this just another round up of the poor for numbers? I just can’t make the math work until I know more.
Stay In School Kids says
Another job well done by the FCSO. Glad this poison is off the streets!
I do have some quick questions though. I’m a math guy, and the numbers simply aren’t adding up. How is 1.3kg (1300g) of drugs worth “over $746,000?” That works out to “over” $573.85/g. I’m assuming the fentanyl has the highest street value of the drugs mentioned, and based on my limited research appears to have a street value of $150-$200/g. The article mentions lesser value drugs (i.e. marijuana, which is around $10/g) comprising portions of the 1300g total. But if we were to assume the entire 1300g seizure was comprised of fentanyl and used the high end value of $200, the max street value only works out to $260,000 (1300g x $200)? So it appears “at least” $486,000 worth of drug value is unaccounted for? What am I missing here? Is this discrepancy due to incorrect reporting on the behalf of FlaglerLive (perhaps the author meant $74,600 not $746,000)? Or is this simply a gross overstatement of value by the FCSO? Any additional color here would be appreciated. Thanks.
Chancey s defamation says
So you mean to tell me marijuna is poison? What a shame and joke 🤮 defaming a persons character for media coverage and gains just for electoral purposes is disgusting 🤢 asf even a first grader can literally see the numbers definitely aren’t adding up
Anonymous says
Great job!
Stay In Scool Kids says
Another media outlet reported the seizure as follows:
“Dubbed “Operation Heartbreaker,” the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said more than 1.3 kilograms of drugs, including 142 grams of fentanyl, 541 grams of cocaine and 226 grams of meth, have been seized. That’s enough fentanyl to kill 89,720 people, the agency claims.”
Unfortunately, my suspicions are confirmed. The FCSO has over inflated the drug value to bolster their crime fighting image. Again, while I’m glad the poison is off our streets, I’m a little disappointed with FCSO essentially lying to the public. Facts matter, especially when an elected official such as our Sheriff is involved. Rick, I know it’s an election year. Some of us would still vote for you if you pulled $90,000 off the streets. But $746,000? Come on. Why fluff the numbers and risk your credibility?
hjc says
Election year and budget talks he needs more money.
Concerned Citizen says
The election year photo ops are in full force. LOL.
Hmmm says
Let me get this straight. 31 people nabbed. 31!!!!! And all the was recovered was under 3 lbs of assorted drugs, and $6400? I can covered that in my checking account. Not sure how under 3 lbs of assorted drugs comes out to 3/4 of a million dollars. Really hit the mother load here. I always say, well, with these bust, we’ll be hearing about the real mother load being popped. But it never happens.
Greg says
The sad part is, that most will be freed on nickel, dime bail and be out in a day or two.
blondee says
Let’s get those mug shots!
jay tomm says
Well & good…but in the end it’s a wasted effort. They will be back on the street & selling again in a year or less.
Billy says
All of them already released! Joke!
Joe D says
Bravo for Flagler Officers. Flagler County has ( even if “hidden”), a substantial drug culture, and minimal treatment/recovery resources….leading to an AMPLE supply of users willing to risk their health and lives for the MOMENTARY “fix” these poisons provide.
Unfortunately, even with this group and their STASH off the streets, there are dozens more waiting in line to take their place. Hopefully more AFFORDABLE mental health services will be developed to give depressed and despondent citizens alternatives to life altered by these illegal chemicals.
I HOPE these kind of undercover police investigations continue, and that this is not just a concentrated FLASH in an upcoming election year.
We also need to send out our PRAYERS for the safety of the law enforcement officials who DAILY put their lives on the line, in an effort to keep the public safe.
Stay In School Kids says
“The following public relations release is published as a courtesy to the issuing agency and does not necessarily reflect FlaglerLive’s news standards or styling.”
While I’m pleased FlaglerLive has the good sense to provide the above disclaimer, I remain disappointed it would publish what amounts to misinformation “as a courtesy,” regardless of the issuing agency, especially during an election year.
Is it asking too much of our media to call into question what they are being asked to report to the voting public, “as a courtesy” to your readers?
Friedrich Nietzsche says
Is this accurate “ All of the 48 suspects in Operation Heartbreaker face at least one charge of selling or intent to sell illegal drugs”
“12.) Glib Fedotov, Possession of Synthetic Cathinones.
13.) Erin Stevenson, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
14.) Todd Blanchard, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
“15.) Troy Reddin, Possession of Oxycodone.
16.) Andrew Jones, Possession of Fentanyl.
17.) Brett Savage, Trafficking Synthetic Cathinones.
18.) Jason Kjersgaard, Sale of Controlled Substance.
19.) Christian Grasso, Sale of Controlled Substance, Possession of Fentanyl.
20.) Jenni Paris, Possession of Fentanyl.“
Several of the suspects mentioned were arrested for possession, so are they saying possession=intent to sell? Sales and possession are two completely different charges that should be handled completely differently. Honesty is critical if the public is going to trust the investigation, and it seems there are some immediate contradictions in the article that nobody bothered to fix. Am I just reading it wrong or something? Is it all suspects face at least one charge of selling or intent to sell illegal drugs or not?
The Geode says
Some weren’t even part of this “sting” but arrested years ago. They are DEFINITELY making shit up. Anybody that had a drug charge in the last couple of years are subject to have their name plastered for “numbers” and not an actual arrest as a result of this sting, but of course, they’ll claim that they were part of the beginning of the “sting” they started 2 years ago …what a waste of time and money
oldtimer says
Some of the above comments make me smile, did the sheriff grandstand a little, probably but the bottom line is he got 31 scumbags off the street, if one of your kids OD’d on this crap or got shot during a deal, I bet you’d be first in line screaming “why isn’t law enforcement doing its job? If the courts let them out that’s not the sheriff’s fault, maybe the bigger problem is why so many people need drugs in the first place.
The Geode says
A LIE is different than “grandstanding”. Nobody accused the FCSO of “grandstanding” – they are accusing them of LYING to make a paltry drug bust into a Federal case worthy of the Supreme Court
Concerned Citizen says
His Deputies did all the work.
He shows up gets an election year photo op. And the credit. We will be seeing more of this over the next few months. Participating in high speed chases and what not. Same o story. To get elected and run an empire for another 4 years.
Tony Capshina says
The editor of this story is a hack and didn’t do any fact checking at all. Stating that all 48 suspects face at least 1 sale/intent to sell charge, and then list numerous suspects with possession charges! Not too mention the comical dollar amount on the drugs seized.This whole story is exaggerated with false information.
Endangered species says
Arrest people for identity theft and fraud is not as profitable. Cops can steal the money, claim it. Steal the drugs resell them later, and fill their jail. Identity theft and financial fraud is too complex for good ol boy Rick. This ways helps them target minorities and pretend they did something that helped anyone. Which they didn’t.
We found a plant that’s legal in 28 states and was only illegal to punish Mexicans. Federal lockup? Where’s the magats defence team maybe they can sabatoge the department, the judge,the jury, the evidence and claim it was all a hoax by Taylor swift.then can appeal to more friendly court.lol.
Ban the gop says
Trump got 90 felonies and is still a free person, good luck to those arrested.
Steve says
Don’t really see how any of this is negative. Drugs and pushers off the street