News and Investigations

On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover Narcotics detectives and the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force made 21 arrests in the Fort Meade area related to the sale and possession of illegal narcotics, in response to complaints received from citizens about illegal drug sales in the area of the L&F Grocery Store on MLK Blvd.

A search warrant was executed at 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade, during which 10 of the 20 arrests were made.

Click here to see video of some of the arrests.

Eight of the suspects told detectives they receive government assistance.

Detectives filed 37 total felony and 15 total misdemeanor charges against the suspects during the investigation. All together, the suspects have 471 previous charges, including 189 prior felonies and 282 prior misdemeanors.

One other suspect who was in the area at the time of the search warrant and investigation was also arrested, on a warrant he already had.
 
“Some people think that the possession and sale of drugs are low-level, non-violent crimes - but these are quality of life issues that, if not kept in check, disrupt the peace and tranquility of our community. We responded to complaints in the area, and we are returning peace and tranquility to the people of Fort Meade." – Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Those arrested are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Trerika Anderson, DOB 08/15/86, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at her address, she was in possession of a straw with residue that tested positive for meth. She was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3), and possession of paraphernalia (M1). Her criminal history includes 9 felonies and 123 misdemeanors. She told detectives she receives $200.00/month in food stamps.

Antonio Atmore, DOB 08/05/90, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he refused to leave the house. Once he finally obeyed the deputies' commands, they found two homemade meth pipes with residue in his room. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3), resisting arrest (M1), and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 3 misdemeanors.

Rafael Bautista, DOB 03/27/94, of 803 Lake Branch Road in Bowling Green. On December 22, 2020, he was in Fort Meade in possession of a glass pipe with residue that tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 1 felony and 6 misdemeanors.

Joseph Bowers, DOB 08/29/52, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he was in possession of glass pipes with residue that tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 3 felonies and 5 misdemeanors.

Larry Joe Criswell, DOB 12/31/80, of 240 Lunn Road in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Criswell sold undercover detectives a total of 7 grams of meth, and two Xanax pills. He was arrested and charged with 3 counts sale of meth (F2) and sale of Alprazolam (F3). His criminal history includes 15 felonies and 17 misdemeanors. He told detectives he receives $200.00/month in food stamps.
 
David Devane, DOB 06/18/78, of 200 2nd Street SE, Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he was in possession of a pipe and straws that tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 12 felonies and 7 misdemeanors.

Larry Dinnald, DOB 01/12/71, of 1190 US Hwy 17 North in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Dinnald supplied illegal narcotics to Jermaine Phillips AKA "Zonk," who in turn sold .3 grams of cocaine of meth, and 1.2 grams of meth to the undercover detectives. He was arrested and charged with sale of cocaine (F2) and sale of meth (F2). His criminal history includes 26 felonies and 18 misdemeanors.
 
Willie Dunlap III, AKA "Pete," DOB 01/09/77, of 309 Railroad Ave in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Dunlap sold undercover detectives 5.6 grams of synthetic cannabinoid called "The Incredible Hulk," 3.2 grams of meth, and .95 grams of cocaine. He was arrested and charged with 3 counts sale of cocaine (F2), 3 counts sale of meth (F2) and possession of synthetic drug (F3). His criminal history includes 6 felonies and 7 misdemeanors.

Andraus Grace AKA "Kujo," DOB 01/10/85, of 811 S. Oak Ave in Fort Meade. Grace sold undercover detectives 1.5 grams of cocaine, supplied by David McCutchen AKA "Swade." He was arrested and charged with sale of cocaine (F2). His criminal history includes 4 felonies and 5 misdemeanors.

Alonzo Harrison AKA "Zo," DOB 04/28/88, of 215 Fern Road in Winter Haven. During the investigation, Harrison sold undercover detectives .4 grams of cocaine. He was arrested and charged with sale of cocaine (F2). His criminal history includes 2 felonies and 6 misdemeanors.

James Keene, DOB 11/19/53, of 200 2nd Street SE, Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he was in possession of a hollowed-out pen with residue that tested positive for meth. He told detectives he uses it to consume meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 1 felony. He told detectives he receives $204.00/month in food stamps.

Kenneth Kelly, DOB 07/17/89, of 200 2nd Street SE, Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he was in possession of a baggie with residue and a pipe that both tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 1 felony and 2 misdemeanors. He told detectives he receives $200.00/month in food stamps.

Erik Liston Sr, DOB 07/22/71, of 1930 East Boulevard Street in Bartow. On December 22, 2020, detectives made contact with Liston while he was sitting in his car in a field near 4th Street SW and South Charleston Avenue in Fort Meade. While speaking with him, they detected the odor of marijuana. During a search of his car, they found baggies of cocaine, meth, and marijuana packaged for sale. He was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine (F3), possession of meth with intent to sell (F2), possession of marijuana with intent to sell (F3), and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 5 felonies and 12 misdemeanors.

David Travis McCutchen AKA "Swade," DOB 01/27/86, of 607 Charleston Avenue South in Fort Meade. During the investigation, McCutchen supplied Grace with 1.5 grams of cocaine, which Grace sold to undercover detectives. McCutchen also sold undercover detectives .95 grams of cocaine. He was arrested and charged with 3 counts sale of cocaine (F2). His criminal history includes 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors.

Katrinya McKinzie, DOB 07/25/79, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at her address, she and her boyfriend Juan Palacios were in possession of baggies with residue that tested positive for meth. She was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). Her criminal history includes 3 misdemeanors.
 
Tia Mitchell, DOB 08/14/73, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at her address, she and her boyfriend Dwayne Reynolds were in possession of glass pipes with residue that tested positive for meth. She was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1).

Juan Palacios, DOB 12/28/52, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he and his girlfriend Katrinya McKinzie were in possession of baggies with residue that tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 4 felonies and 18 misdemeanors.

Jermaine Phillips AKA "Zonk," DOB 11/11/87, of 31 Court Street in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Phillips sold undercover detectives .3 grams of cocaine and 2.3 grams of meth, supplied by Larry Dinnald AKA "Pete." He was arrested and charged with 2 counts sale of cocaine (F2) and 2 counts sale of meth (F2). His criminal history includes 5 felonies and 8 misdemeanors.

Dwayne Reynolds, DOB 11/21/68, of 200 2nd Street SE in Fort Meade. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he and his girlfriend Tia Mitchell were in possession of glass pipes with residue that tested positive for meth. He was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). His criminal history includes 59 felonies and 5 misdemeanors. He told detectives he receives $204.00/month in food stamps.
 
Michael Lewis Sheffield, DOB 03/01/82, of 1224 US Hwy 17 North in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Sheffield sold undercover detectives .26 grams of cocaine. He was arrested and charged with sale of cocaine (F2). His criminal history includes 17 felonies and 21 misdemeanors. He told detectives he receives $786.00/month in Social Security benefits.

Mary Spiker, DOB 08/25/73, of 240 Lunn Road in Fort Meade. While detectives were arresting Larry Criswell at that address, they found a baggie with a crystal substance in it that tested positive for meth. Spiker told detectives it belonged to her. She was arrested and charged with possession of meth (F3) and possession of paraphernalia (M1). Her criminal history includes 17 felonies and 10 misdemeanors. She told detectives she receives $194.00/month in food stamps.

OTHER ARREST:

Lakevin Camp, DOB 12/27/91, of 613 Lanier Ave South in Fort Meade. During the investigation, Camp was located in the area, and he had a warrant for his arrest for Failure to Appear (original charge, DWLSR). He was arrested on the warrant and booked into the Polk County Jail. His criminal history includes 2 misdemeanors. He told detectives he receives $196.00/month in food stamps.