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Plea Deal Reached In Hernando Drug Trafficking Case

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By Kyle Martin

Hernando Today

Published: August 14, 2008

Brock Shade

Brooksville - With one exception, the book is closed on one of the largest drug rings in Hernando County's history.

Brock Shade, said to be a top lieutenant in an organization with ties to a Polk County cop killer, pleaded guilty today to multiple drug trafficking charges.

The 28-year-old Brooksville native faced up to life in prison, but will instead serve a mandatory 15 years of his 24-year sentence.

Shade was scheduled for trial on Monday before Jack Springstead, the same circuit judge who called the defendant a "one-man crime spree" when he denied a petition for lower bond.

Sheriff Richard Nugent, who was not at the courthouse, was pleased to hear the results Wednesday afternoon.

"The sentences for all of the major players were appropriate," Nugent said. "We put a lot of time, money and effort into this operation."

The source of the Hernando County investigation began in 2006 when Angilo Freeland shot and killed Polk County Deputy Matt Williams and his K-9 Diogi during a traffic stop. Freeland was shot and killed the next day by deputies.

At one point during the manhunt, Freeland dropped a cell phone. One of the numbers dialed came back to a member of the Brooksville drug network.

A search warrant included in Shade's court files lays the groundwork for the charges against him.

The first surveillance operation began on March 15, 2007 outside 21326 Canal Drive in Da Mac Estates, north of Brooksville. A confidential informant buys some drugs from Shade and later tells authorities there's at least two pounds of marijuana in the house.

Similar operations resume March 23 and April 23. On May 8, Shade replenishes his stash with a drug buy in the Golden Corral parking lot in Brooksville. Surveillance crews identify his supplier as Bobby Walter, street name "Benny the Bug."

On June 4, a confidential informant sets up another drug buy with Shade. Here's the tab: an ounce of marijuana for $130, 26 tabs of Ecstasy for $300 and eight tabs of OxyCodone for $70.

Assistant State Attorney Rob Lewis made the offer at a 2 p.m. hearing and Shade was given an hour to make up his mind. At the end of those 60 minutes, Shade still appeared to be mulling it over when Springstead asked him directly whether he would take the deal.

When the judge took his silence for a rejection and announced a trial would go forward, Shade reluctantly accepted the deal.

His only request was that he be sent to a nearby prison so that he could still visit his young children.

Still at large is the alleged ringleader, Marcus Fields. The sheriff said investigators are still actively looking for him and that it is only a matter of a time before he is caught.

"You can quote me on that," Nugent added.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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