Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
August 30, 2005
Contact: Catherine Dokey
Public Information Offi
(850) 651-7420
Six
Month Investigation Leads to Five Sentenced in Federal Court
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force
comprised of agents from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview
Police Department, Niceville Police Department, and the Florida Department of
Law Enforcement conducted a six month investigation with the ATF, DEA, and U.S.
Marshals Service, which lead to the arrest of five individuals responsible for
illegal trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamine in Okaloosa County.
All the individuals involved were trafficking large amounts of cocaine
and methamphetamine into the local area from other states which include
Information
was received from confidential informants about the interstate shipping and drug
distribution in the local area. Search
warrants were executed on March 22, 2005, at the following locations:
The
following individuals where indicted and convicted in United States District
Court in the Northern District of Florida:
Juan
Manuel Pena, age 35 (05-05-1970) of
Dorothy
Yolanda Backhoff, age 30 (03-25-1975) of
Catrina
Anne Rogers, age 28 (08-21-1977) of
Benjy
Neil Allums, age 30 (05-08-1975) of 316 Partin Drive, sentenced to 240
months, 10 years supervised release upon his release from prison.
Jesus
Morales-Cervantes, age 32 (10-15-1972) of
More than 5 kilos of cocaine and methamphetamine were seized along with marijuana, drug paraphernalia, money believed to be proceeds from drug sales, a vehicle and a firearm. The investigation is on-going and as more leads develop, more arrests are possible.
###