U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill recently announced the results of Operation Kissimmee Crackdown, an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force operation that spanned nine months in Kissimmee in 2008.

According to evidence and testimony presented through a series of hearings over several years of court cases, crack cocaine trafficking and its associated violent crime has ravaged the McLaren Circle area of Kissimmee. Until this coordinated effort among law enforcement and other service providers, little impact was made in addressing this problem, federal officials stated in a press release.

During 2008, federal and local agents teamed up to perform high-risk undercover purchases of crack cocaine and firearms, execute search warrants and conduct surveillance on the area. The enforcement stage of the investigation culminated on Dec. 11, 2008, with a round-up that netted 18 federal and 48 state arrests. A number of other defendants were arrested before and after the round-up.

The December 2008 effort utilized approximately 300 officers to conduct the arrests and execute 13 search warrants, which were executed simultaneously in the early morning hours. In total, authorities seized several kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine, marijuana, body armor suits, thousands of dollars in U.S. currency, 18 firearms and three vehicles.

The defendants, the sentences

The following defendants have been sentenced in federal court in Orlando as a result of this operation (defendant, charges and federal prison term): Nathaniel Barnett Jr., crack cocaine distribution, 145 months; Nathaniel Green, firearms possession, crack cocaine distribution, 152 months; Lenard Kilpatrick, crack cocaine distribution, 168 months; Cleotha Johnson Jr., crack cocaine distribution, 120 months; Jarmar Francis, firearms possession and crack cocaine distribution, 100 months; Lorenzo Washington, crack cocaine distribution, 120 months; Latavious Hazley, crack cocaine distribution, 120 months; Charles Scott, crack

cocaine distribution, 222 months; Nathaniah Fredericks, crack cocaine distribution, 188 months; Michael Jerome McMillon, crack cocaine distribution, 72 months; Bobby McGee, firearms possession, 180 months; David Holliman, firearms possession, crack cocaine distribution, 120 months; Courtney Reed, firearms possession, 37 months; Mario Small, firearms possession, 60 months; Calvin Edwards, crack cocaine distribution, 192 months; Davion Smiley, crack cocaine distribution, firearms possession, 120 months; Alvin Hazley, crack cocaine distribution, 96 months; Mary Kinloch, crack cocaine distribution, firearms possession, 93 months; and Adrian Lamar Williams, crack cocaine distribution, firearms possession, 180 months.

During a series of hearings, witnesses painted a picture of the McLaren Circle area as one decimated by drug dealing, violence and other societal ills for decades, federal officials stated. The area was plagued with robberies, carjackings, shootings, violent crimes against police officers, riots, home invasions and murders while residents were shut up inside their homes fearful of becoming victims. Witnesses did not come forward and cooperate for fear of retaliation from the area crack dealers.

Commercial vendors, such as FedEx, UPS, pizza and taxi companies refused to enter the area to provide services to residents. For a time, the United States Postal Service halted its route into the area.

According to witness testimony, since the December 2008 crackdown, the violent crime rates have experienced significant drops. Community cooperation has risen and people are now investing in the neighborhood. Witnesses are coming forward to report crimes and have banned together to support law enforcement and identify criminals.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service; the Kissimmee Police Department; the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office; the Osceola County Investigative Bureau; and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert E. Bodnar Jr. and J. Bishop Ravenel.