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Authorities Break Alleged Oxycodone Ring

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By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 27, 2009

TAMPA - A man known as the "King of Hudson" was arrested this morning, accused of running a multistate operation distributing oxycodone.

Arde Harry Olsen and 18 others from Pasco County were arrested by Pasco County Sheriff's deputies and federal agents, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.

The group is accused of operating an oxycodone trafficking ring through an auto-repair business in Hudson Olsen ran. Each defendant was indicted on narcotics charges and faces as much as 20 years in prison, if convicted.

Olsen is accused of paying "doctor shoppers" to visit physicians and obtain prescriptions of oxycodone – an addictive pain reliever – that was then distributed to dealers around Florida and beyond.

Also arrested Friday were Olsen's wife and son, Shannon Olsen, 45, and Jason Michael Olsen, 23; William Joseph Califano, 29; Earle Monroe Silcox, 30; Jessie Krumm, 21; Amber Marie Morreale, 19; Jerald John Gilio Jr., 33; Anthony Robert Upton, 28; Donna Jean Bynum, 31; Debra A. Collins, 48; Dannie James Mariedth, 50; Sarah Lynn Maynard, 25; Joshua McTavish Brown, 24; Anthony Keith Christian, 27; Billy Ray Hardin, 27; Soni Jo Cheesbrough, 27; Dennis Ashley Miller, 35; and Jereme Lee Gould, 24.

Several federal agencies, the sheriff's offices in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, the Tampa Police Department and the New Port Richey Police Department had been investigating the group since 2007.

Arde Hudson has a history of drug-related arrests dating to 1991, records show. In 1997, he was convicted of discharging a firearm in public in Pinellas County, but his sentence was suspended.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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