The 14 Polk County residents have been charged with federal charges relating to drug trafficking and firearms crimes, state lawyer Gregory W. Keho announced Monday.
The indictment alleges that individuals are part of a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. If convicted, each defendant faces the largest life sentence in federal prison.
Here’s what’s charged:
Curtis Charles Tinsley, 47, Lakeland Tyler Anthony Devanney, 32, Winterhaven Alvin Antonio Burns III, 47, Lakeland Tonyo Cortez Evans, 39, Lakeland Lamar Anthony Hamilton, 43, Lakeland Albert Lewis III, 48, Lakeland Tel Leon Pratt, 39 Kenji Antwina Miller, 38, Lakeland Melvin Sharon Murray, 48, Lakeland Robert James Johnson IV, 32, Lakeland Stephen Wayne Gay, 55, Lakeland Tiffany Elaine Creech, 43, Lakeland Sabrina Marie Taylor, 40, Dover
Several defendants, Devanney, Burns, Hamilton, Pratt and Gruber, issue an additional fee for illegally owning a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. Devaney, Pratt and Hamilton have been accused of owning firearms to promote drug trafficking.
The indictment further alleges that Tinsley, Devanney, Burns, Evans, Hamilton, Gruber, Miller, Murray and Gay committed crimes after prior convictions for serious drug and violent crimes.
Authorities stress that the indictment is a formal charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
The case has been charged by US aide David J. Pardo and was investigated by the FBI, Lakeland Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. This is part of a broader effort under the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which covers high-level criminal networks through coordinated, multi-agency investigations.
