Massive drug ring busted in five Florida counties, eight charged: USAO

FLORIDA—Eight Florida men, allegedly part of a drug-trafficking organization based in Webster, have been arrested on federal charges.

On Tuesday, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging seven individuals with drug trafficking offenses. The indictment also notifies the individuals that the United States intends to forfeit a purple Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol and assorted ammunition.

An eighth individual was charged by criminal complaint.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO), the individuals, charges, and maximum sentences are as follows:

Clarence Ford, Jr., 46, of Webster: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine; Distribution of 50 grams of methamphetamine (4 counts). Minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.

Willie Ford, III, 35, of Webster: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.

Justin Demon Lowery, 41, of Webster: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a detectable amount of fentanyl; Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a detectable amount of fentanyl. Minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.

Matthew Stanley Simmons, III, 25, of New Port Richey: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; Distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl; Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.

Antwan D. Williams, 44, of Webster: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 20 years in federal prison.

William Cody Ferguson, 30, of Tampa: Conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; Distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl (2 counts); Felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 15 years, in federal prison.

Johnny Leanda Harris, 56, of Webster: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison; Minimum mandatory sentence of five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.

Theron Mathews, 36, of New Port Richey (Criminal Complaint): Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.

According to court filings and information presented during the detention hearings, Clarence Ford, Jr. served as a main source of supply for methamphetamine in the Webster area. His alleged drug trafficking organization reportedly stretched into Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Sumter, and Pinellas counties.

Mr Ford allegedly supplied drugs to Willie Ford, Matthew Simmons, Justin Lowery, Antwan Williams, and Johnny Harris. These individuals are allegedly responsible for distributing more than 2,970 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 129 grams of fentanyl and conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine during the conspiracy.

On May 14, 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the seven individuals charged by indictment. During a search warrant executed at Mr Simmons’s residence, agents said they located fentanyl, scales, blenders, and firearms. As a result, Simmons’s roommate, Theron Mathews, was arrested and charged via a criminal complaint.

In total, the agents reportedly seized 11 firearms, approximately 800 grams of fentanyl, approximately 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, two kilogram press machines, a pill press machine, and $40,000 in cash from members of the organization during arrest operations.

An indictment and a complaint are merely formal charges that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Samantha Beckman, an assistant United States attorney, will prosecute it. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky is handling the forfeiture.