April 17, 2008
For immediate release
Contact: Gary Davidson, Public Information Officer, 
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

RAIDS TOPPLE NEW SMYRNA DRUG TRAFFICKING NETWORK

A multi-agency team of narcotics investigators has toppled a large-scale drug trafficking ring responsible for distributing massive quantities of cocaine throughout the New Smyrna Beach area. While the operation is still ongoing, by mid-morning on Thursday, agents had taken 19 people into custody and seized drugs, money and guns. The Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI) led the efforts to take down the drug network in a series of coordinated, pre-dawn raids on Thursday that capped a three-year investigation. 

Dubbed “Operation RockStar,” the investigation was launched in 2005 after VBI agents developed information regarding a drug trafficking organization headed by 36-year-old Marcus Peterson of New Smyrna Beach. Through surveillance and other investigative techniques, agents were able to link nearly two dozen people to the organization. Among those arrested Thursday were three members of the Peterson family, including Peterson, his 24-year-old brother Bryant Peterson and their 55-year-old father, Samuel Peterson, Sr. 

Even before Thursday’s raids, investigators had seized a combination of powder and crack cocaine totaling 636 grams. Destined for street-level drug dealers in Southeast Volusia, the seized cocaine could have fetched approximately $20,000 on the open market. VBI agents hit the streets Thursday morning, kicking off a series of raids at 6 a.m. to gain the element of surprise. In total, VBI agents raided six homes -- five in New Smyrna Beach and one in Daytona Beach. Agents also fanned out around the county rounding up others with open warrants connected to the investigation. In addition to the 19 arrests, agents also seized another 408 grams of cocaine, 2,292 grams of marijuana, 19 Ecstasy pills, five guns and nearly $6,200 in cash on Thursday. Armed with arrest warrants, investigators are still searching for at least five others linked to the ring of mid- to upper-level distributors. 

Approximately 150 local, state and federal law enforcement officers participated in Thursday’s raids. VBI, which headed up the operation, is a multi-agency task force that pools resources from nine local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to target mid- and upper-level narcotics traffickers as well as racketeering and organized crime. Participating agencies include the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Attorney’s General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Daytona Beach Police Department, Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety, DeLand Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department and the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Transportation and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation. 

As part of Thursday’s operation, agents executed search warrants at 221 N. Seneca Street in Daytona Beach and the following five locations in New Smyrna Beach: 

• 923 Enterprise Ave.

• 554 Josie Street

• 327 Palm Street

• 603 E. 2nd Ave.

• 2100 S. Atlantic Ave.

The list of defendants and their charges is as follows:

•  Marjorie Albright, 31, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

• Harry Booth, 27, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

• William Campbell, 33, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

•  Eric Felder, 34, Ormond Beach. Two counts of trafficking in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $810,000 bond.

• Deidre Fuller, 33 New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to deliver marijuana, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $20,000 bond.

• Clarence Guyton, 38, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to deliver marijuana, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $20,000 bond.

• Robert Hill, 36, Daytona Beach. Trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $810,000 bond.

• Henry Holley, 22, Edgewater. Conspiracy to deliver marijuana, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $20,000 bond.

• Ronald Lee, 54, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to deliver cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $20,000 bond.

• James Middleton, 36, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to deliver cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $20,000 bond.

•  Willie Miller, 35, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

•  Emilio Perez, 35, Ormond Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. Based on evidence seized on Thursday, also charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. $430,500 bond.

• Bryant Peterson, 24, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

•  Marcus Peterson, 36, New Smyrna Beach. Trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, three counts of sake and delivery of cocaine. $1,285,000 bond.

• Sammie Savage, 36, South Daytona. Trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $810,000 bond.

• Kunta Simmons, 30, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to deliver cocaine, conspiracy to deliver marijuana, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $30,000 bond.

• Comonique Williams, 27, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device. $410,000 bond.

•  Roy Deon Fudge, 19, sale and delivery of cocaine.

• Samuel Peterson, Sr., 55, trafficking in cocaine, possession of marijuana.