FORT PIERCE — A woman was arrested after a tip to sheriff’s investigators that she was “forcing” her unlicensed 17-year-old daughter to drive her to buy drugs, according to a recently released affidavit.

A sheriff’s deputy who got behind the vehicle, a tan Ford van, on Wednesday as it traveled along U.S. 1, said he spied a clear plastic bag being thrown from the passenger window. (more…)

SEBASTIAN — Authorities speculate more than $1 million worth of cocaine found Saturday near the Sebastian Inlet State Park may have been tossed by smugglers in an attempt to not be caught with the illegal drugs.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to a call about 8:30 a.m. Saturday about a package floating near the shore, said spokesman Deputy Jeff Luther. A boater spotted the package, he said.

Deputies determined the package contained 60 pounds of cocaine, Luther said. The street value of the package is substantial, but probably not a huge loss to the smugglers, he said.
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PORT ST. LUCIE — It was an “all night” argument over infidelity — complete with a purported audio tape of the “cheating” — that culminated with a woman stabbing her boyfriend of several years, according to a recently released arrest affidavit and police.

Police said they met the victim Thursday morning at St. Lucie Medical Center, where his girlfriend, Jennece Cordella Shaw, drove him after the incident. (more…)

STUART — An alleged crack dealer’s plan to allow a client to buy him shoes in exchange for drugs was stopped short by Stuart police Friday, according to an affidavit released Monday.

Michael Deshawn Harris, 30, of the 7900 block of Southeast Kingsway Street in Hobe Sound, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and resisting arrest without violence.

Police had been watching a foreclosed home in the 800 block of Southeast Nassau Street after a suspicious vehicle was reported parked in the driveway several times that day.
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Kevin Alicea

Damon Long

A tipster told Martin County Sheriff’s detectives that Kevin L. Alicea, of Lake Worth, and Damon J. Long, of North Palm Beach, had planned a drug deal for Thursday night.

When investigators arrived near the Kanner Highway Chevron gas station by Interstate-95 and found both men.

Alicea, 30, had 16 grams of cocaine and 58 pills of ecstasy in his pocket, according to a sheriff’s report.

Thirty-two-year-old Long — whose arrest paperwork lists him as an employee of Palm Beach Pain Management – had 3.9 ounces of cocaine, the report states.

John Williams

Hobe Sound resident John W. Williams told Martin County Sheriff’s deputies he had just put out a marijuana cigarette when he was stopped along Bridge Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities said they searched his vehicle and found a baggie of pot and a manila envelope with cocaine inside.

Williams, 43, was arrested on misdemeanor marijuana possession and felony cocaine possession charges. His 2-year-old grandson was released to his mother.

Deputies issued Williams a traffic citation for failing to restrain the boy while driving.

Williams was released from the Martin County jail on Wednesday after posting $5,500 bond.

Ronnie West

Deputies had been told that Ronnie West, 29, would be driving Thursday to 2900 S.E. Normand St. with cocaine, according to a police report. West pulled up and then ran when deputies approached him.

He threw about 3 grams of cocaine on the street as he ran, according to the police report. Deputies stopped him with a Taser, then searched his car. They found about 31 grams of cocaine and about 53 grams of marijuana, according to the police report.

The drugs were packaged to sell, according to the report. (more…)

FORT PIERCE — After an officer pulled cocaine from Bobby L. Burgess’ pants pocket, the 44-year-old local man said he was wearing his son’s trousers.

But that revelation did not keep Burgess out of jail following a Monday morning police encounter.
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VERO BEACH — A man who secretly buried his mother in their back yard to cover up her death will be serving 20 years in state prison for second-degree murder, court files show.

In mid-2008, Vero Lake Estates resident Kelly Smith, 38, argued with his mother, Lynn Schuler, 59, over his unemployment. (more…)

STUART – Two men and a teenager were arrested last week after police officers found marijuana and cocaine at a house on Bahama Avenue, according to the Stuart Police Department.

Detectives searched 942 Bahama Ave. at 4 p.m. last Friday, according to police. (more…)