Multi-Agency Operation C.L.E.A.N. Leads to 12 Arrests, Drug and Weapon Seizures in South Melbourne

Melbourne Police: Operation C.L.E.A.N. Disrupts Street-Level Drug Trade

The sweep was conducted with assistance from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Office of the State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit, and the police departments in Palm Bay, West Melbourne, and Cocoa.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A large, multi-agency law enforcement operation aimed at dismantling street-level drug sales and gang activity in South Melbourne resulted in a dozen arrests, the seizure of narcotics and a firearm, and additional enforcement against illegal gambling devices, the Melbourne Police Department announced Tuesday.

The operation, dubbed Operation C.L.E.A.N. (Community Law Enforcement Against Narcotics), was carried out Dec. 4 by the department’s Special Investigations Unit with assistance from local, state, and federal partners.

Police said the sweep targeted open-air drug-dealing locations and suspected criminal enterprises operating in the area.

According to Lt. Ian Mitchell of the Melbourne Police Special Investigations Unit, 12 people were arrested during the operation, with one suspect still outstanding. Collectively, those taken into custody face more than 26 felony charges connected to the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.

During the arrests, detectives seized 1.6 grams of fentanyl, 17 grams of cocaine, 1.5 grams of oxycodone, 37.3 grams of cannabis, and a semiautomatic handgun. The evidence led to additional charges, police said.

Vehicle pursuit and assault on an officer: Police said one suspect attempted to flee when officers moved in. The driver refused to stop and allegedly tried to strike an officer with her vehicle, prompting a pursuit.

Tire deflation devices were deployed to disable the car, and the suspect was taken into custody. Investigators later found fentanyl in the vehicle. The woman now faces charges that include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a controlled substance, and violation of probation.

Illegal gambling enforcement: In a related effort, the Florida Gaming Control Commission inspected businesses where investigators said some of the drug activity was occurring.

At Tip Top Mini Mart, 3003 Monroe Street, officers confiscated one illegal gambling machine and seized $2,613 in cash. At a Sunoco station at 4000 S. Babcock Street, four illegal slot machines were confiscated, and $360 was seized, police said.

Arrested and Charged: Melbourne Police released the names and charges of the suspects arrested during Operation C.L.E.A.N. (BCSO images):

■ Jermaine Simpson (DOB: 04/17/2007) — Sale of cocaine (2 counts); possession of cocaine (2); possession of cocaine with intent to sell (2).

■ Kentavis Williams (DOB: 11/19/2006) — Sale of cocaine (2); possession of cocaine (2); possession with intent to sell (2); unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

■ Efrem White Jr. (DOB: 10/20/2004) — Sale of cocaine (2); possession (2); possession with intent to sell (2); additional: possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis; resisting officers without violence.

■ Isaac Hughey III (DOB: 09/29/2003) — Sale of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school; sale of cocaine (3); possession (3); possession with intent to sell (3); unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

■ Kamari Duncan (DOB: 07/10/2007) — Sale of cocaine; possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell.

■ Fredstern Gray (DOB: 09/30/1981) — Sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell; additional: possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis.

■ James Henry Phillips (DOB: 02/13/1976) — Sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell.

■ Annetta Brown (DOB: 08/26/1982) — Sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell.

■ Renwick Tucker (DOB: 08/12/1999) — Sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell; additional: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of cannabis under 20 grams; possession of drug paraphernalia.

■ Jarvis Brown (DOB: 11/21/1996) — Active warrant; sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell.

■ Pamela Roberson (DOB: 04/24/1996) — Fleeing and eluding; aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer; possession of a controlled substance; reckless driving; resisting officers without violence; violation of probation.

Police also reported the arrests of three 17-year-old males, whose names were not released because of their age:

■ Juvenile #1 — Trafficking fentanyl; sale of fentanyl; possession of fentanyl with intent to sell (2 counts); sale of cocaine (2); possession (2); possession with intent to sell (2); unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

■ Juvenile #2 — Trafficking fentanyl; sale of fentanyl; principal in the first degree.

■ Juvenile #3 — Sale of cocaine; possession; possession with intent to sell.

Multi-Agency Effort

The sweep was conducted with assistance from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Office of the State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit, and the police departments in Palm Bay, West Melbourne, and Cocoa.

“Operations like this demonstrate our collective commitment to reducing the harm caused by narcotics and the violence that often accompanies drug trafficking,” Mitchell said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the outstanding suspect or related criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Melbourne Police Department.

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