The Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force arrested 51 suspects and seized a large amount of drugs in two multi-agency operations.
Operations Bloodline and Flatline seized 78 pounds of methamphetamine, 14.55 pounds of fentanyl, 13 weapons, and approximately $20,000.
The investigations focused on a drug trafficking organization active in Polk, Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Volusia and Pasco counties. Detectives used resources from state aid for Fentanyl eradication grants, including wiretaps and undercover surveillance, to infiltrate the organization.
Investigations into Operation Bloodline began in August 2025. Detectives focused on Jemarian Young of Winter Haven, known as a Florida gang leader. Young is accused of collaborating with Spencer Leonard Jr. of Bartow to distribute drugs in Central Florida. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail on various charges, including 12 counts of fraud, conspiracy and trafficking in methamphetamine.
Investigators discovered a supply route moving methamphetamine from California to Polk County. On December 15, 2025, detectives intercepted a delivery containing 10 pounds of meth. Brittany Jefferson from Winter Haven is charged with coordinating this shipment. She is the sister of two men arrested in 2022 for drug trafficking.
Attorney General James Uthmeyer described the scope of the distribution network. “This was a highly organized, fentanyl-pushing enterprise operating in Central Florida that was connected all the way to California,” Uthmeyer said. “We will continue to dismantle these organizations from top to bottom. Anyone who smuggles these toxins into Florida will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
Operation Flatline began on December 23, 2025 after a serious fentanyl overdose. Angela Valenta, 42, was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Lake Wales and is now hospitalized with reduced brain function. William Benjamin Newton Jr. is accused of providing Valenta with fentanyl. During his arrest, officers seized 6.1 pounds of fentanyl and 1.4 pounds of cocaine.
Sheriff Grady Judd spoke about the danger these operations pose to the public. “Methamphetamine and fentanyl traffickers are literally killing people and tearing families apart,” Judd said. “The men and women who go after these drug dealers are profiting from this destruction, putting their lives on the line to protect their communities from drug traffickers, doing a noble but dangerous job.”
Several other prominent figures were involved in the operations, including a Tampa rapper named Joshua Puckelwartz, who goes by the name Tommy Boy Wayne.
Puckelwartz was arrested on January 28, 2026, after fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 275 and crashing his vehicle. About 12 pounds of methamphetamine was recovered from him. Michael Wells of Winter Haven was also arrested for participating in the drug buy with Young and Puckelwartz.
The investigation also focused on gang members who returned to drug trafficking soon after being released from prison. Bruce Young was released on November 29, 2025, after serving seven years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and allegedly approached Young the same day to resume operations.
Jerrell Carr, also a gang member, was released in June 2025 and arrested again in January 2026 after fleeing from authorities in Lakeland with cocaine and fentanyl in his possession.
Steven Jackson of Lakeland was identified as a fentanyl supplier for the organization. Jackson, a gang member, is currently in the Polk County Jail. He is charged with armed trafficking of amphetamine, armed trafficking of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
William Benjamin Newton Jr. could face charges of first-degree murder if Valenta died of an overdose.
Most of the 51 suspects arrested are in custody pending legal proceedings. Authorities are still searching for Young, who has outstanding warrants for fraud and trafficking.
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