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30 Arrests Leave Polk Drug-And-Gun Ring Broken

Photo from MilitaryFactory.com

This photo shows the type of bomb launcher seized by Polk County deputies. The sheriff's department today announced a key indictment in an organized crime investigation.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 3, 2008

Updated: 04/03/2008 02:20 pm

BARTOW A West Central Florida gang that dealt in drugs, stolen property and weapons — including a World War II vintage bomb launcher that was used to destroy enemy tanks — was broken with the arrests of some 30 people, authorities announced today.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he couldn't believe it when first informed by his investigators that the organized crime group had purchased a bomb launcher.

"But," he said, with the apparatus displayed in front of him, "it's the real deal."

A cache of weapons that included the launcher, fully automatic rifles, an "elephant gun," and handguns of various sizes and shapes was put on display today by the sheriff and law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions that participated in the nearly year-old probe.

The investigative team focused its attention on Otis "Cowboy" Carden, 26, and Terry "Ox" Gilmore, 34, who are accused of being the ringleaders. Sgt. Ian Floyd said everyone else arrested worked for these two.

"Some stole vehicles," Floyd said. "Others broke into houses and stole guns."

The investigation began last summer after a vehicle theft, he said. From there, it led to drugs and guns and stolen property.

Judd said there was no evidence the ring was smuggling guns.

The ring bought and sold stolen goods and dealt mainly in methamphetamine, he said. Although the public was undisturbed by the ring, Judd said members would be very violent to those who didn't pay debts or tried to rip them off.

Judd said victims were fearful of coming forward.

"One guy had the pudding beat out of him," Judd said. "This is one of the more violent groups we've encountered recently. They were violent toward each other and those who dealt drugs and stole property if they didn't pay up."

Three members of the ring remained at large, he said.

"But our guys are coming after you," he said.

The ring made money off drugs and the sale of stolen property. The guns mostly were bought and sold among the members, Judd said, and were used for protection and intimidation.

The origins of the bomb launcher remained a mystery, he said. The ring member who procured it said he bought it for $100, Judd said, "and sold it to a ring leader buddy for $400. But we don't know where it came from."

Charges against those arrested included dealing in stolen property, drug possession and dealing, and theft.

Carden was arrested Jan. 23 in Osceola County by the U.S. Marshals with 11 grams of meth and $9,000 in his possession, authorities said. He was charged by a federal grand jury this week with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.

Gilmore, who authorities said described himself as the "muscle" of the organization, was arrested Feb. 8 on charges including grand theft auto, resisting an officer without violence and drug possession.

Thirty people have been arrested since last summer, identified as part of the Carden organization.

They are:

Francine Medders, 26, of 320 Wilder Road, Lot 2, Lakeland. Charges include burglary and grand theft auto.

Darrin Embry, 18, of 3011 Ernest Drive, Apt. D, Auburndale. Charges include possession of methamphetamine.

Michael Windley, 35, no known address. Charges include burglary and grand theft auto, resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license.

Douglas Dawson Jr., 22, of 28380 Foot Road, Bartow. Charges include burglary

and battery.

Douglas Dawson Sr., 48, of 836 Morning View Court, Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine.

Roger Shane Parker, 38, 4025 Crews View Lane, Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with evidence, maintaining a vehicle for drug use, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and two violations of probation.

Shaun O'Neal, 21, of 2203 Shirth Road, Auburndale. Charges include possession of

methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Garrett Wiley, 20, of 1645 Merrick Road, Lakeland. Charges include possession of

drugs without a prescription, possession of methamphetamine, resisting an officer without violence, petty theft, driving with a suspended license, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nathan Staricek, 21, of 133 Bergen Circle, Auburndale. Charges include possession of

methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, petty theft.

Kathy Wiley, 49, of 1911 Jupiter St., Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

William Watson, 30, of 806 Even House Road, Winter Haven. Charges include burglary, grand theft auto, grand theft, petty theft, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation.

Bandy Nesbitt, 20, of 5508 N.W. Oak Ave., Bartow. Charges include driving with a suspended license, having no car registration and forgery/altering of vehicle registration.

Leisha Harris, 44, of 9920 Steven Drive, Polk City. Charges include possession of

methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and having an open container in a car.

Frank McGrath, 40, of 307 N.W. Eighth St., Mulberry. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, grand theft auto and violation of probation.

January Carter, 29, of 2002 Fish Hatchery Road, Lakeland. Charges include trafficking

more than 14 grams of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine near a school with intent to sell near, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of drugs without a prescription.

Brian Oyer, 24 (deceased), of Steven Drive, Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. Oyer was killed in a motorcycle crash Dec. 3.

Brandi Rewis, 28, of 3544 Raintree Circle, Lakeland. Charges include fraud, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation.

Michael Juilcher, 36, of 4230 Lewellyn Road, Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drugs without a prescription and two counts of driving with a suspended license.

Lance Johnson, 26, of 900 N.W. Ninth Ave., Mulberry. Various charges include grand theft auto and driving with a suspended license.

Steven Phillips, 28, of Winter Haven. Charges include grand theft auto, resisting an officer without violence, fleeing to elude and driving with a suspended license.

Brandi Burnson, 26, of 1638 Taylor St., Auburndale. Charges include possession

of methamphetamine.

Lenna Lott, 32, of 2232 E. Magnolia St., Lakeland. Charges include a nonmoving

traffic violation of failure to notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of a change of address.

Candace White, 24, of 2036 Meadow Oak Circle, Polk City. Charges include

possession of methamphetamine, grand theft auto, weapons violations, and multiple

violations of probation.

Susan Harper, 35, of Lakeland. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of drugs without a prescription and failure to register a vehicle.

Michael Ryals, 30, of 1404 E Francis St., Polk City. Charges include possession of

of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jasmine Luker, 19, of 2811 Old Medulla Road, Lakeland. Charges include

possession of methamphetamine, possession of drugs without a prescription and possession of marijuana, and multiple violations of probation.

Charles Turlington, 22, of 1280 E. Summerlin Drive, Bartow. Charges include possession of methamphetamine and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The following have warrants out for their arrests:

Lance Johnson, 26, of 900 N.W. Ninth Ave., Mulberry, has warrants for his arrest on charges of armed burglary, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bryan White, 26, of 1216 Windsong Drive, Lakeland is wanted on a violation of probation charge.

Jessica Carden, 25, of 106 Colonial Drive, Auburndale, is wanted on a violation of probation charge.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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