April 10, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

INVESTIGATOR MAKES TWO DRUG ARRESTS IN DEBARY 

A proactive Sheriff’s Office sergeant in DeBary discovered approximately $500 worth of drugs and made two arrests while working on a stolen vehicle case Wednesday. 

Sgt. Virgil Ford was investigating a report of a stolen vehicle Wednesday when shortly after noon Ford saw the truck he was looking for parked at 55 Pine Drive in DeBary. Elijah “Bear” June was getting out of the driver’s seat while two other men were nearby. Ford approached the men and ordered them to show their hands and move away from the truck. June appeared to ignore Ford and it looked like he was pulling objects from his pockets and throwing them into the truck. June eventually obeyed Ford’s repeated commands, but locked and closed the truck’s door as he backed away. Ford then looked through the truck’s window and saw in plain view inside three plastic bags, the contents of one which Ford easily identified as marijuana. 

The truck’s owner was contacted and granted Ford permission to enter and search the truck. Found inside were the bags containing 7.4 grams of marijuana and 15.4 grams of crack cocaine. About 14 grams of the cocaine was in one round shape known as a cookie. Based on the evidence found on scene and information obtained through subsequent interviews, June, a 30-year-old from Sanford, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana under 20 grams. Loren Baker, a 53-year-old also from Sanford, was also arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach.