Fla. authorities arrest 31 suspected drug traffickers - WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports Community

Fla. authorities arrest 31 suspected drug traffickers

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Photo courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office Photo courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Authorities in Pasco County, Fla. say they've charged 31 people suspected of illegally distributing pain medications in Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.

The investigation involved the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release.

The news comes as two federal indictments were unsealed.

The first indictment charges Pasco County residents Brittney Beason (23); James Bellows (32); Chris Buchan (43); Michael Desimone (23); Heather Garmany (29); Tim Grace (27); Jenny Hernandez (21); Chris Jackson (21); Mark Lapham (22); Paul Parker (43); Karl Polek (22); Nicole Proctor (23); Tamara Short (21); and Scott Vitello (36).

According to the indictment, from sometime in 2009 until the present, these individuals were involved in the trafficking of Oxycodone in Florida, as well as between Florida and
Tennessee.

A separate indictment charges Pasco County residents Anthony Maddox (29); Beverly Gamble (52); Anthony Freeman (44); Alex Carraher (35); Amanda Rizzo (22); David Ziegel (21); Heather Janes (30); Danial Cronkite (29); Nicholas Baker (22); Paul Beaupre (26); Robin Crosson-Palmer (42); Heidi Chamblee (48); Kelly Jo Teffner (44); Michael Castles (51); Jillian Whitmore (26); Jo Ann Whitmore (46); and Ryan Lutz (37), a resident of Hernando County. From sometime in 2009 until the present, these individuals were allegedly involved in the trafficking of Oxycodone in Florida, as well as between Florida and Kentucky.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.

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