FROM LEFT: Louis Pepe, Susan Pepe, both of Floral City; Shawn Carpenter of Hernando; Steven Minnella and Glenn Wilson, both of Inverness. (PHOTOS: Citrus County Sheriff’s Office on April 20, 2018). CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE LARGER IMAGES.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office cleaned up several streets in the Citrus County community early Friday morning during OPERATION OXY-CLEAN.
Search and arrest warrants were served targeting oxycodone dealers at residences in Floral City, Hernando, and Inverness. The Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Impact Unit concluded the operation today, netting five arrests.
Simultaneous search warrants were served at two locations resulting in arrests for selling prescription medication during undercover investigations. Detectives conducted undercover buys with the suspects throughout the last several weeks. A majority of the purchases were negotiated by telephone, resulting in more felony charges of Illegal Use of a Two-way Communication Device.
“Our multi-week investigation took dangerous drugs and drug dealers off our streets and has a significant impact on our community,” said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “Once again, outstanding job by our Tactical Impact Unit, detectives, and patrol deputies, who have proven time and again that they will not stop until drugs are removed from this county.”
Notably, a mother and son duo, Susan Pepe, and her son, Louis Pepe, sold prescription pills on multiple occasions. Pepe and her son were arrested for the sale of a controlled substance during a search warrant of Louis Pepe’s home.
Glenn Wilson was arrested at his home during our second search warrant.
Other arrests include Steven Minnella of Inverness and Shawn Carpenter of Hernando. A search of a safe in Carpenter’s home yielded $8,000 cash.
OPERATION OXY-CLEAN yielded the following arrests:
Louis Pepe– age 31, Floral City
• 3 Counts of Sale of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• 3 Counts of Illegal use of a Two-way Communication Device
Susan Pepe – age 56, Floral City
• 2 Counts of Sale of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• 2 Counts of Illegal use of a Two-way Communication Device
Shawn Carpenter– age 46, Hernando
• 2 Counts of Sale of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• 2 Counts of Illegal use of a Two-way Communication Device
Glenn Wilson – age 36, Inverness
• 2 Counts of Sale of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)
• 2 Counts of Illegal use of a Two-way Communication Device
Steven Minnella – age 53, Inverness
• 2 Counts of Sale of Controlled Substance (Oxycodone)