The Levy County Sheriff`s Office and the Chiefland Police Department executed three drug search warrants simultaneously in the Chiefland area. The operation began shortly after dark last night and five people were arrested on various charges. The charges range from obstruction of justice to a variety of drug charges.
Arrested was James Tarnellius Clemons at 725 S.E. 1 Street, Chiefland. Upon arrival, Agents located Clemons outside in the front yard cooking oysters. Clemons obstructed officers and resisted arrest without violence. Upon the search warrant being executed at his residence agents seized 81.7 grams of marijuana, 6.9 grams of crack cocaine, 5.2 grams of powder cocaine, cutting agents to manufacture his drug operation, straws, baggies, scales and a large amount of US Currency.
In the second search warrant, agents arrested Craig Joshua, 28 years of age, from Chiefland. The search warrant at 8871 NW 55th Ave. stemmed from a series of investigations that involved the purchase of drugs from Joshua. During the raid, the agents seized 57 pieces of rock crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of marijuana and US currency. Joshua also had outstanding Levy County warrants for the undercover buys. While agents were at Joshua`s residence, Rollie Tillery pulled up in the driveway. Lt, Ray Tremblay, with Chiefland Police Department, observed Tillery fumbling and attempting to hide something in the car. A search revealed that Tillery hid crack cocaine in the back seat and he was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and resisting arrest without violence.
The third search warrant was executed at 13559 NW 65th Terrace in Chiefland. Drug Task Force arrested Jessie Bryan Balogh for trafficking in cocaine, possession oxycodone with intent to distribute and numerous other felony drug charges. Agents seized 35.4 grams of cocaine, oxycodone pills and 52.2 grams of marijuana. While agents were executing the warrant, Kelvin Thompson pulled up to the residence and he was arrested for felony driving while license suspended and possession of marijuana (29.2 grams). When Thompson saw the agents, he immediately threw a bag of marijuana which was later located and seized.
The raids were executed simultaneously due to the understanding the drug dealers were believed to be associated and the operation could have put the Deputies in harms way. The street value of the narcotics seized was approximately $10,000 and agents recovered over $4,000 in cash. The Chiefland drug operation resulted in 15 felony arrest and 13 misdemeanor arrests. We are very proud of our Drug Task Force in their efforts to fight the war on drugs.
Defendant:
James Tarnellius Clemons
725 SE 1 Street
Chiefland, Fl
B/M, 05/04/1974
Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute
Possession of Marijuana
Obstruction of Justice
Resisting arrest without violence
Craig Lashard Joshua
8871 NW 55th Ave.
Chiefland, Fl.
B/M, 08/21/1983
Possession of a controlled substance
Sale of a controlled substance
Two Counts Maintaining a Drug Dwelling
Rollie Tillery
314 SW 8th Court
Chiefland, Fl
B/M, 01/06/1955
Possession of Crack Cocaine
Resisting arrest without violence
Jessie Bryan Balogh
13559 NW 65th Terrace
Chiefland, Fl.
W/M, 07/25/1987
Trafficking in Cocaine
Possession Oxycodone with intent to Distribute
Possession Marijuana with intent to Distribute
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Maintaining a Drug Dwelling
Sale of Cocaine
Possession of Cocaine
Kelvin Lamont Thompson
21220 NE 41 Street
Williston, Fl.
B/M, 12/31/1979
Felony Driving While License Suspended
Felony Possession of Marijuana | 