'Operation Rotten Eggs' nets 35 arrests

During the past two days, just in time for Easter, members of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) conducted a covert operation to search for the ‘rotten eggs’ that have been involved in the sale and distribution of illicit narcotics in Citrus County.

Partnering with agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Homeland Security) Air and Marine Operations, and task force officers from the U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, the combined law enforcement efforts resulted in the arrests of 35 men and women in Citrus County for an array of narcotics charges.

The following arrests were made during Operation ‘Rotten Eggs’:
• Kenneth Anderson (DOB 06/25/1987) Trafficking in Fentanyl
• Clinton Czerwinski (DOB 12/01/1982) Trafficking in Fentanyl
• Marydolores Arza (DOB 01/01/1971) Trafficking in Fentanyl
• Richard Harkleroad (DOB 01/14/1971) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Robert Gilbert (DOB 06/08/1970) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine) and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine & Alprazolam)
• Broderick Houston (DOB 04/26/1989) Two counts sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) and possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• John Stevens (DOB 11/24/1973) Sale of a controlled substance (Hydromorphone)
• Kerri O’Brien (DOB 05/31/1980) Sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) and failure to appear reference violation of probation
• Vanessa Wall (DOB 01/11/1979) Two counts sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• David R Swanson (DOB 08/26/1963) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Angela Taylor (DOB 04/05/1975) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine) and possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Timothy Trehuba (DOB 07/24/1978) Sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• Alexander Lamb (DOB 02/27/1997) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Nichole Mandat (DOB 03/28/1988) Sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• Danny Green (DOB 03/20/1983) Sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Tabitha Morgan (DOB 08/16/1996) Sale of a controlled substance (Heroin)
• Richard Knowles (DOB 08/05/1995) Sale of a controlled substance (Heroin)
• Lawrence Roddenberry (DOB 09/29/1975) Two counts sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Amanda McElmurray (DOB 09/12/1991) Two counts sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Zackary Stanfield (DOB 02/11/1993) Two counts sale of counterfeit substance
• Brian Chambers (DOB 11/16/2001) Sale of a controlled substance (Oxycodone)
• Vincent Armstrong (DOB 03/17/1992) Two counts sale of a controlled substance (Alprazolam)
• Jose Alamo (DOB 04/13/1994) Sale of a controlled substance (Cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl), conspiracy to sell a controlled substance and petit theft
• Jason Gordon (DOB 01/10/1984) Sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl) and sale of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Amanda Funk (DOB 12/22/1984) Possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl)
• Brandon Bigel (DOB 11/29/1985) Possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• Jennifer Uncapher (DOB 01/08/1972) Possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl)
• Michael Mehringer (DOB 09/13/1985) Possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine)
• Dean Dumont (DOB 05/16/1998) Violation of probation
• Corey Ross (DOB 11/01/1990) Sale of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• Courtney Bissonette (DOB 10/07/1989) Two counts possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl)
• Jeff Lipovetsky (DOB 12/24/1986) Possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone)
• Joseph Kennedy (DOB 06/25/1979) Violation of probation ref original charge of possession of a controlled substance
• Craig Richmond (DOB 07/10/1974) Violation of probation reference possession of paraphernalia & driving while license suspended or revoked and failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance
• Tracy Higgins (DOB 10/12/1970) Violation of probation for possession of paraphernalia

Three of the arrestees listed here were also arrested during a previous operation, ‘Deck the Cells’ back in December of 2021 – those individuals are Nicole Mandat, Richard Harkleroad, and Corey Ross.

We would like to thank our partners at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Homeland Security) Air and Marine Operations, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their teamwork, which resulted in the resounding success of this operation.

"Since being elected Sheriff, I have upheld my promise to combat the illicit drugs in Citrus County after witnessing the damaging effects drugs have on our community, especially our youth,” said Sheriff Prendergast. “Contrary to what many believe, drug use is not a victimless crime – everyone’s safety is at stake. Drug users steal to pay for their addictions; their dependence tarnishes relationships with loved ones and can even result in their death by means of overdose. Today, our agency made additional progress in our resilient efforts to combat this crippling epidemic and secure the future for the betterment of our community.”

If you know of anyone who may be dealing in illegal narcotics or know of someone struggling with addiction, call our non-emergency line at 352-249-2790 to report the criminal activity, or to speak with a member of our Behavioral Health Unit for assistance.