8 Suspects Face Drug Charges In Sarasota After Investigation: Sheriff

SARASOTA, FL — Eight people were arrested for drug-related offenses in northern Sarasota following a long-term investigation, according to a news release from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Beginning in February, detectives partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in response to drug sales and gun violence in the 2200 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Way, the agency said.

Investigators identified eight key suspects connected to crimes taking place in the parking lot of the Purple Store, a business near the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Way and Colson Avenue.

The following suspects face various charges in the investigation:

• Lamont Brookins, 33, two counts of sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school, one count of principal to sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school and a single count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
• Isaiah Bryant, 24, sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, sale of cocaine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
• Robert Gambles Jr., 40, a single count of sale of fentanyl.
• Christopher Phillips, 48, two counts of sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school.
• Yvens Philone, 34, five counts of Possession of a Weapon or Ammo by a Convicted Felon, two counts of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, a single count of Armed Trafficking in Methamphetamine, a single count of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a School, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.
• Tiarra Stanford, 36, single count of sale of cocaine.
• Gregory Swain, 29, trafficking in cocaine, sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of sale of cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
• Franklin Willis, 30, two counts of possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon, two counts of sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, a single count of sale of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

Six of them were arrested, while warrants were issued for Phillips and Swain, who were still at large, SCSO said.

Prior to this investigation, the eight were collectively charged with 131 felonies and 112 misdemeanors, the agency added.

“We work diligently to address reoccurring criminal activity throughout specific areas of unincorporated Sarasota County,” Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said. “Whether it takes our patrol deputies, tactical units, criminal investigators, undercover personnel or a combination of all four, we utilize intelligence-led policing to put resources where they will make the most impact. In this situation, drugs and guns were being sold across the street from an elementary school, public library and afterschool care program. While these arrests are significant, our efforts will not stop here. We will continue to monitor this corridor and interrupt criminal activity to protect our citizens and, more importantly, our children.”

Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to contact the SCSO’s Special Investigations Section at 941-861-4900 or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County by calling 941-366-TIPS.