Initiative began in 2024
Operation Ice Break, a multi-jurisdictional narcotics investigation conducted by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office from 2024 to 2025, has resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals and the filing of 40 felony charges, the Sheriff’s Office announced on Dec. 30.
“This operation, targeting large-scale trafficking networks of fentanyl and methamphetamine, spanned multiple counties, culminating in the dismantling of significant drug distribution networks and the removal of high-level traffickers from the community,” a news release said.
Among the individuals arrested were the following, the release noted:
- Michael Chad Bennett, 47 of Sarasota, was charged with multiple counts, including trafficking in methamphetamine and fentanyl and sale of a controlled substance.
- Trisha Steffes, 44, of Venice, was charged with conspiracy and trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine.
- Andrew Scott, 32, of Bradenton, is facing charges related to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl.
- Kaitlyn Dupre, 28, of Bradenton, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl.
- Peter Thibodeau, 48, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in both methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as trafficking in methamphetamine.
- Rockford Upton, 57, of Bradenton, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Ashley Wehrlen, 41, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Alyssa Duross, 25, of Nokomis, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
- Jamie Edwards, 42, of Palmetto, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl.
- Dora Jean Dixon (Wilson), 59, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
- Walter Lint, 59, of Nokomis, was charged with possession of a controlled substance (hydromorphone; Dilaudid is one of that drug’s brand names, Wikipedia points out).
- Jesus Pineda, 39, of Sarasota, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts) and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
- Eric Walker, 45, of Ona, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts).
- Jason Straub, 42, of Englewood, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (two counts) and trafficking in methamphetamine (200 grams or more in Pasco County).
Two individuals had not been arrested as of Dec. 30, but warrants have been issued for them on the following charges, the release added:
- Jo’Kevious Bell, 34, of Bradenton; the charges relate to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl (three counts).
- Timothy Chipman, 50, of Arcadia, is facing charges related to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
“Several defendants are facing mandatory minimum sentences” because of drug trafficking thresholds, the release explained…