3,000 GRAMS OF COCAINE SEIZED, 21 ARRESTED ON FEDERAL AND STATE CHARGES FOR CONSPIRACY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

Posted on October 27, 2022

October 27, 2022

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— More than 3,000 grams of cocaine is seized during a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Walton and Okaloosa Counties resulting in the arrest of 21 people.

Operation Hans Gruber began in March of 2021 investigating the drug trafficking activities of Deshawn Brown, Pablo Burgos-Lozada, Aubry Campbell, Jefferey Williamson, and co-conspirators involved in the purchase and sale of large amounts of cocaine.

On October 26^th and 27^th 2022, Federal and State law enforcement arrested 12 suspects charged during the investigation. Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who have outstanding warrants. In total, 25 are facing charges in connection to Operation Hans Gruber including four federal arrests and 21 state of Florida arrests.

In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement seized four firearms, more than $22,000 in U.S. currency, 50 grams of crack cocaine, and around 2,500 grams of marijuana.

Federal Indictments:

• Deshawn Brown, 51, of Santa Rosa Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
• Pablo Burgos-Lozada, 44, of Fort Walton Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
• Aubry Campbell, 37, of DeFuniak Springs, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Jeffrey Williamson, 38, of Niceville, Florida, Distribution of Cocaine

State Charges:

Walton County

• Ernest Dan Jean Jr., 58, Two Counts Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon
• Curtis Hadinger, 53, Five Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon
• Ryan Jones, 46, Five Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Edward Karsauskas, 59, Two counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Alan Moore, 35, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Anthony Turchia, 31, Four Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Domonique Weeks, 38, Two counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Trafficking in Cocaine, Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon
• Maxwell Wester, 36, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felon
• Geoffrey Brower, 46, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Two Counts of Use of a Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony (Walton & Okaloosa Charges)
• Heather Newsome, 45, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Karen Crabb, 72, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Joshua McNeil, 27, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine
• Suake’via Gilmore, 24, Possession of Methamphetamine

Okaloosa County

• Irina Pasare, 37, Four Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Robert Garcia, 51, Three Counts of Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony (Walton & Okaloosa)
• Francisco Garcia Jr., 36, Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine
• Bobby Baldon, 61, Conspiracy to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Crack Cocaine), Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine, Use of Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony

Additional charges and/or arrests may be forthcoming as a result of this investigation.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Panama City and Pensacola Drug Task Forces, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Walton and Okaloosa County State Attorney’s Offices for their assistance in the operation.

Your partnership was imperative to achieving our goals for this investigation.