Two in Stuart face drug charges after Sheriff's Office stages 'Operation Tooth Fairy'
MARTIN COUNTY — A Stuart couple is facing charges related to the distribution of illegal drugs disguised to look like candy, according to Martin County sheriff's officials.
Detectives conducted an investigation they dubbed "Operation Tooth Fairy' during September and October 2024, where they surveilled a home in the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane in Stuart. People were often seen waiting around outside the house, sheriff's officials said.
Detectives staged drug deals using a confidential informant, according to investigation records.
In September, the informant contacted a woman detectives dubbed "Candyman," and later identified as Julianne Perez, and asked for fentanyl. Perez told them they could meet at her house on Southeast Nimrod Lane because it was safe, according to an arrest affidavit.
The informant contacted Dillon James Clark, at the same address, to confirm the cost of the fentanyl, which he did. The informant received a clear bag containing a blue powdery substance that was field-tested and showed positive for fentanyl, according to the arrest affidavit.
The same technique was used during a staged drug deal in October. The informant ordered fentanyl again and the next day Clark texted them "come over we got it," according to sheriff's officials. The informant was again given a clear bag containing a blue powdery substance.
The fentanyl was dyed bright colors and packaged to resemble candy wrappers, according to a sheriff's Facebook post.
Laboratory testing confirmed the drugs contained xylazine, a veterinary drug used as sedative, and para-fluorofentanyl, an opioid used to relieve or reduce pain. Both substances are more lethal than fentanyl, according to sheriff's detectives..
Detectives used a search warrant to enter Perez's home, and found narcotics. Perez admitted to drug trafficking, according to the arrest affidavit. Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines, and oxycodone pills were seized during the investigation.
Stuart: Retiring Police Chief Joseph Tumminelli looks back on 30 years of law enforcement
Hobe Sound: Martin County detectives investigating fatal shooting on April 17
Perez, 42, of the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane, was charged with three counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, two counts of trafficking fentanyl, selling and manufacturing a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked in the Martin County Jail on April 28 on $2.5 million bond, according to the Martin County Jail.
Clark, 28, also of the 4500 block of Southeast Nimrod Lane, was charged with two counts of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and two counts of trafficking fentanyl. He was booked in the Martin County Jail on April 28 on $1.7 million bond, according to the Martin County Jail.
It did not appear either had an attorney as of April 29, according to the Clerk of Courts website.
Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 'Operation Tooth Fairy' results in Stuart couple facing drug charges
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Third teen death in national forest raises alarm as two high schoolers found shot during camping trip
High school students Pandora Kjolsrud and Evan Clark were found dead in a remote area of Arizona on May 27, marking the second and third teenagers found dead in Tonto National Forest since February. Kjolsrud, 18, and Clark, 17, were both found shot to death on May 27 near Mount Ord in the Tonto National Forest, north of Mesa, Arizona. A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told Fox News Digital that the deaths are being investigated as homicides. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it's "actively" investigating the deaths, but didn't release additional details. According to Fox 10, the Arcadia High School students were on a camping trip when they were found shot to death. The remains of Emily Pike, 14, were found on Feb. 14 in Tonto National Park, 19 miles north of Globe, Arizona. She went missing from a group home in January, according to Fox 10, which reported her death was treated as a homicide. Her body was found dismembered more than 70 miles away from the group home she was reported missing from. Arizona Pastor Found Dead With Hands Pinned To Wall In Homicide At Home No arrests have been made in connection with Pike's death. The FBI and several local law enforcement agencies are investigating her death. Read On The Fox News App There has not been any connection made between the two cases, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. A GoFundme for Kjolsrud's family says the 18-year-old "had a vivacious personality with an infectious smile that brought joy to so many." 3 Arrested In Connection With Death Of Pima County Good Samaritan "She was a beautiful human being and a bright light in this world who loved every single person she met and had a unique ability to make every person feel special," the GoFundme stated. In a message attached to a fundraiser, Sandra Malibu Sweeney, Clark's mother, said that he "wasn't a typical teenager." "He was funny, bright, kind and entrepreneurial. He was an old soul who was sensitive and loving. Evan wrote me letters, the last of which he gave me on Mother's Day that was so touching it made me both laugh and cry. He was special. He deserved a long life." A community member who spoke with Fox 10 said she wants answers about Kjolsrud and Clark's deaths. "It's really scary that it's just so close to home and then their family. That's the next thing you think about. It's like, what are they going through? What happened to them? Are they going to get answers?" one community member article source: Third teen death in national forest raises alarm as two high schoolers found shot during camping trip
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bank robbed in Port St. Lucie, accused robber 'possibly armed'
PORT ST. LUCIE − Port St. Lucie Police on June 6 are investigating a robbery at a PNC Bank on Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, the agency stated. Police about 1:40 p.m. June 6 went to the incident at the bank in the 1300 block of Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, which is at Southwest Savona Boulevard, said Sgt. Dominick Mesiti, police spokesperson. The alleged robber is described as a woman in a maroon and white shirt and multi-colored ball cap with sunglasses and a white purse. 'The suspect is possibly armed and was last seen walking from the bank on foot,' police stated. Fatal crash: Husband succumbs to injuries after Memorial Day crash that claimed wife's life, police said Rabies alert in Port St. Lucie: Rabies advisory in part of St. Lucie County after raccoon killed June 1 Mesiti said he could not disclose some aspects of the case. Those with information are asked to call police at 772-871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Police say woman accused of robbing bank in Port St. Lucie
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
USDOJ says 3 Mexican nationals face charges from Cobb County meth lab bust
Three 'illegal aliens from Mexico' face charges following a methamphetamine lab bust in Cobb County. One is still on the run. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Juan Perez-Maldonado, Francisco Garcia Gomez and Filemon Hernandez-Jijon were charged after a federal operation on June 3. Officials said Drug Enforcement Administration agents saw Hernandez-Jijon allegedly supply two kilograms of meth to a drug customer in Smyrna. Then, they watched as Hernandez-Jijon go back and forth from a Marietta mobile home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] DEA agents got a search warrant for the mobile home and found Perez-Maldonado and Garcia Gomez, while a third person ran from the scene. Inside, agents found an active meth lab being used to convert liquid methamphetamine into a crystal-like form and at least 13 kilograms of what looked like the finished drug product, USDOJ said. Agents also found two handguns, including one that was hidden in the tank of a toilet, as well as money remitter receipts with Garcia Gomez's and Hernandez-Jijon's names, according to the Justice Department. TRENDING STORIES: Family of twins found dead on Bell Mountain dispute findings, say they were killed Peachtree City celebrity alligator 'Flat Creek Floyd' dies after driver hits him Suspects accused of bringing contraband to Fulton jail annex, cutting through fence Outside, USDOJ said agents also found 'acetone, several empty coolers and other materials commonly used to produce crystallized methamphetamine.' USDOJ said agents searched an apartment in Smyrna in connection to the investigation, finding a bag with a loaded Glock pistol, two loaded magazines for a firearm and identification for Perez-Maldonado inside of a baby's crib. Also in the apartment, agents found a Springfield XD firearm and mechanical press used to turn powder into kilogram bricks, according to USDOJ. As the investigation continued, agents found that Perez-Maldonado and Hernandez-Jijon had already been deported and removed from the United States earlier. While Perez-Maldonado and Garcia Gomez appeared in court on Wednesday for charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, officials said Hernandez-Jijon is currently a fugitive. He faces a charge of possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the U.S., government officials said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
