VCSO: Heroin Ring Taken Down In "Operation Geronimo"

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DeLand, FL - Ten people have been arrested so far and six more people could be in handcuffs soon as authorities dismantle a heroin ring in Volusia County believed to be responsible for providing the drugs involved in at least five overdose deaths. That's the word from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office as the results of "Operation Geronimo" were announced earlier today (October 2nd).
VCSO spokesperson Andrew Gant says the arrests are part of a seven-month joint operation involving the Volusia Bureau of Investigation and members of the Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team and VCSO's Major Case Unit. "The ringleaders and several members of the organization, which operated primarily in the Deltona and Orange City areas, were locked up [this] morning," Gant added. "[They face] charges ranging from conspiracy to traffic heroin to solicitation to deliver a controlled substance."
The ringleaders were identified as two Deltona residents: 42-year-old Sergio Perez (left) and 27-year-old Melanie Cunningham (right). Both were taken into custody last Tuesday (September 25th) during a traffic stop in Orange City, per Gant. "The traffic stop revealed Cunningham was in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, suboxone, cannabis and cannabis oil," Gant noted. "Perez was also charged with possession of cannabis oil and booked into jail, where he remained held without bond Tuesday on several probation violations related to burglary and grand theft and where he received his new charges Tuesday." Cunningham was out on bond following last week's arrest, but she's now back in custody on the new charge of conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance. VCSO also identified a St. Cloud man - 44-year-old Roberto Segarra-Garcia - as the ring's supplier. He's also now in custody on a charge of conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance. The other seven people arrested today are identified below, along with their ages, city of residence and charges. - Kenneth Angel: 48, Orange City, Conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance - Kimberly Barker: 42, Orange City, Solicitation to deliver a controlled substance - Keri Boucher: 28, Deltona, Conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance - Travis Carter: 29, Deltona, Conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance - Christopher Cuillo: 32, Deltona, Conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance - Tina Montgomery: 43, Deltona, Solicitation to deliver a controlled substance - Adam Sullivan: 38, Deltona, Solicitation to deliver a controlled substance During the press conference, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said his office will likely shoot for first-degree murder charges in at least two of the overdose deaths. The other six suspects linked to this operation are being sought by VCSO at this time, per Chitwood.
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