LCSO reports crack cocaine organization crushed
Five people have been snared in a drug sting targeting a crack cocaine organization with ties to Miami and Southwest Florida. The arrests were the result of a cooperative effort by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Miami Police Department.
The defendants face federal charges including conspiracy to manufacture, possess and distribute crack cocaine. Those arrested and charged are Eric Bonita, DOB 4-2-86, of Miami; Jude Sereme, DOB 10-14-83 of Miami; Jophaney Hyppolite, DOB 9-4-83 of Miami; Rick Jean, DOB 10-1-86 of Miami and Jennifer Nicole Sander, DOB 10-17-81 of Fort Myers. Five other individuals, including 29-year-old Michael Dupin of Fort Myers, also face federal indictments and are being actively sought.
During the execution of the federal search warrant, Lee County narcotics detectives encountered two other individuals with crack cocaine. Emmanuel St Vil, DOB 8-2-92, of 16902 Carmen Avenue, Fort Myers and Traven Paschal, DOB 4-2-83, of 16902 Carmen Avenue, Fort Myers each face state charges for cocaine possession.
“These arrests are just the latest example of law enforcement teamwork,” says Sheriff Mike Scott. “Tonight some bad, bad, bad individuals have been taken off the streets.
If convicted on all counts, each defendant (facing federal charges) faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to 40 years in prison.