PAGE 8 - April 16, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Drug Raid - Continued from page 1
Internet Scam Targets Inglis Resident
From the Inglis Police Dept.
are made out in large amounts and the in-
drug paraphernalia. His total bond was set at $2,045,500.
Online and postal scams are on the
structions request that you send a small por-
Two people on the scene at the time of Jenkins' arrest were also arrested on drug
rise. An Inglis resident recently received two
tion of the money back to them and keep the
charges: 25-year-old Heather Leann Parker, 6605 Van Buren Dr., Homosassa, was arrested for
Visa Travelers' Checks in the mail, which were
bulk of the check for your own use. Often,
possession of cocaine (her bond was set at $5000), and 43-year-old Terry D. Knight, 946 N.E.
cashed and later found to be counterfeit.
the victim will complete the deposit, send a
3rd St., Crystal River, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia (his bond was set at
Scams work in various ways, but ultimately
wire transfer of money to the third party, and
$500). Another woman, 22-year-old Brandy Michelle Crews, 9 N. Candle Pt., Crystal River,
leave the victim out hundreds to thousands
several days later, find that their bank account
was located and arrested on warrants for trafficking cocaine. Her total bond was set at
of dollars. These scams are very difficult to
is in a negative balance or that a large amount
$220,000.
investigate and also difficult to bring the sus-
of money is missing from their bank account.
While members of the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (SERT) were securing
pects to justice.
The use of these foreign checks
the locations in Crystal River, the Marion County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons & Tactics
Nigerian scams, reported since the
hinges on a U.S. law which requires a bank to
Team (SWAT) had arrest warrants for several known narcotics dealers and search warrants
early 1980s, have increased recently with the
present the money to an account holder
for two residences in the Dunnellon area, 1991 W. M. L. King Lane and 1685 W. J. Williams
use of e-mail and online communities com-
within 1 to 5 business days, whether the origi-
Lane.
munities such as eBay. They usually begin
nal check has cleared or not, and the funds
According to Tierney, the 1991 W. M. L. King Lane residence is a mobile home with
with a letter, e-mail, or even a check, and will
have been transferred from the issuing bank.
no amenities about which the sheriff's office had received numerous complaints as being a
include an offer that makes a claim of a large
Generally, it takes 7 to 10 business days for a
place where narcotics are sold on a daily basis. She said the sheriff's office was aware of this
eventual payoff. Many of these operations
check to clear a bank, but it can take as long
site and the people associated with it. Ricky Rondell Collins, 43, 1603 W. Henry Blair Ln.,
are professionally organized - with offices,
as a month when dealing with a foreign bank.
Dunnellon, was found at the residence and arrested on a warrant for trafficking cocaine and
working fax numbers, customer service de-
Sometime during the period after the check is
conspiracy to traffic cocaine. His bond was set at $300,000. The search of the residence
partments, and even contacts at government
placed into your account and when the check
yielded crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and other evidence, along with firearms, which
offices in Nigeria. Victims who research the
has cleared the bank, your balance will show
were confiscated. A vehicle was also seized which the sheriff's office will seek forfeiture on.
operation often determine that the offer ap-
that the money has transferred to your ac-
The residence at 1685 W. J. Williams Ln., Dunnellon, the fourth site where a search
pears legitimate. Large operations often tar-
count, but when the check is found to be
warrant was served, was believed to be occupied by a known narcotics dealer. The residence
get wealthy individuals or large investors,
counterfeit, the money is removed from your
and several vehicles parked on the property were searched. Officers found cocaine, a felony
and smaller, organized gangs use the same
account, leaving you without the money that
amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and other evidence. The sheriff's office confiscated
tactics to target middle-class individuals.
you transferred to the third party.
a vehicle at this residence, as well, and will seek forfeiture on it.
Commonly, a victim will receive a
If you receive an offer like this in
The investigation is still continuing, and more arrests are expected in the near
letter which contains a check, or an e-mail,
the mail or through e-mail, the Inglis Police
future, said Tierney.
Recent Arrests
that asks the victim to deposit a check into
Department urges you to immediately con-
their bank account, then to immediately wire-
tact them at (352) 447-0303, and DO NOT de-
transfer a portion of the check to a third party
posit these checks into your account! Re-
A New Port Richey man was arrested by the Inglis Police Department, around 10:00
in a foreign country, using legitimate services
member, if it seems too good to be true, it
p.m., March 31, after an officer noticed that he was driving without the use of his headlights
such as Western Union. Often, the checks
probably is.
on U.S. Hwy. 19 at S. Inglis Ave. The officer learned that the driver's license had been
suspended, several times, and he had previously been convicted for driving with a sus-
pended license. The driver, 31-year-old Eryberto Eddie Rodriguez, was arrested and charged
El Ranchito
with driving while license suspended or revoked knowingly.
Brandon Michael Mecom, 22, Citrus Springs, was arrested at the Levy County Jail
on a Citrus County arrest warrant for violation of probation (disturbing the peace, breach of
MExican REstauRant
peace). His bond was set at $105.
352 447-4588 352-621-4588
445 N.E. 1st Terrace, Crystal River
Crystal Terrace Shopping Center
North of Big Lots & East of Post Office
Custom Woodworking
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With Us - Monday, May 5
Open All Day, 11am-9pm, No Siesta!
"Your Plans or Ours"
Beer & Wine - BUY 1 GET 1 FREE - All Day!
Antique Furniture Refinishing
Monday-Thursday: 11am-2pm & 5-9pm Friday: 11am-2pm & 5-10pm
Bookcases
Saturday: Open All Day-Noon-10pm Sunday: Open All Day-Noon-9pm
Custom-Made Furniture
The Best Mexican Cuisine
Lunch and Dinner Served
Yes, we have Beer & Wine!
Dine-In or Take-Out
352-795-5251
Entertainment Centers
Gun Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinets
Enviro Group of Florida
Our Featured Properties
352-447-3894
Wood Products Div.
Tom Robinson
NEW ON THE MARKET and cute as can be:
2 bedroom manufactured home on 1 acre with
front & rear screened porches, sheds and
Hickory Island
carport, country yet close to town. Would
make a great weekend get-a-way and very
afffordable at $49,900.
"Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit"
RECENTLYREDUCED concrete block 3 bed-
Restaurant and Seafood Market
room with fresh paint and carpet in Peaceful
Acres where community offers boat ramp to
Lighthouse Lounge
Lake Rousseau and the Rainbow River, new
Live Music
price of $94,900.
50
Diamond Investments, Inc.
"Papa Sass"
Drink Specials
Darryl A. Diamond
www.diamondhomesandland.com
Friday-Saturday Night
352-447- 4442
$2 Margaritas
Lic. Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Investment Consultant
$1 Draft Beers
352-447-2520
Cell "call Shirley 352 400-0301
Darryl-Vicki Diamond & Shirley
$1.50 Well Drinks
48 Hwy 19 S. Inglis
"The Diamond Team"