The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office conducted an interdiction/traffic safety detail on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The goal of the operation was to reduce traffic violations, stop criminal activity and promote public safety.
Patrol units concentrated their efforts on I-95 and other areas throughout the county.
As a result of the detail, there were 50 traffic stops conducted between 4:00 PM and 2:00 AM. A total of 35 warnings and 7 citations were issued. Five subjects were arrested for drug charges relating to unlawful possession of prescription medication (Oxycontin):
Larry Gayheart, (9/2/74) of Hindman, Kentucky was charged with possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute, giving false name while detained, and possession of alprazolam with intent to distribute.
Jeremy Combs, (5/26/75) of Leeburn, Kentucky was charged with possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute, possession of alprazolam with intent to distribute, and possession of paraphernalia. Combs also had a warrant out of St. Lucie County for attempting to obtain prescription by fraud.
Luverina Tucker, (6/16/65) of Lexington, Kentucky was charged with possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence and, giving false name while detained. She also had a warrant for parole violation out of Kentucky.
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Shelia Slone (6/28/65) of Hazard, Kentucky was charged with possession of oxycontin with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia.
Kenneth Kunkel, (10/29/51) of Littcarr, Kentucky was charged with trafficking in oxycontin and possession under 20gr of marijuana.
A total of 975 prescription pills and 8.4 grams of marijuana was seized.
The operation supervisor, Lieutenant Anthony Consalo, noted there were several other cars that were stopped in which prescription narcotics were found. The prescriptions, which were filled in south Florida, were in the name of an occupant of a vehicle so it was determined they were in lawful possession of the medication. Lieutenant Consalo also found many of the vehicles were from out of state.
MACE Detective Bill Staar, who investigates primarily prescription fraud and abuse cases, noted that there is an increasingly large number of Kentucky residents who drive to south Florida to get prescription narcotics. Staar notes that he has been working with investigators in Kentucky. He also stated that it is becoming a practice for subjects to rent a car in Kentucky and ask for an out of state tag because law enforcement is aware of this trend.
Detective Staar and Lieutenant Consalo also commented that the high number of prescription narcotics coming from south Florida is indicative of the lack of regulation and oversight of many of the pain management clinics in that area.
Sheriff Loar remains committed to this agency’s drug enforcement efforts and additional drug enforcement operations are being planned.
VIEW images to the LEFT to see booking photos of arrested individuals.