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St. Petersburg Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs

Arrest | Crime | Handcuffs

She is one of 11 charged in the conspiracy, which spanned Pinellas, Marion, Sumter and Lake counties, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

OCALA – A St. Petersburg woman is one of 11 people accused of conspiracy to distribute drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Allison Nicole Valdez, 32, of St. Petersburg, and the others were charged with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted of all counts, she and the others each face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The others named in the federal indictment are Charlie Wayne Harrison, Jr.. 32, Leesburg; Trini Thomas, Jr., 34, Wildwood; James Edward Moss, 34, LaGrange, GA; Dwayne Edward Moss, 32, LaGrange; Jasmine Janay Patterson, 24, Wildwood; Georgiana Armenakis, 40, Paisley; Derick Latrelle Woods, 28, Belleview; Brian Adolph McLaren, Jr., 30, Ocala; Christopher Valsechi, 28, Weirsdale; and Chantal Monique Harrison, 28, Leesburg.

According to court records, Charlie Wayne Harrison, Jr. was the leader of a large-scale drug operation spanning Marion, Sumter, Lake, and Pinellas counties. He and his co-conspirators are charged with distributing multi-kilogram quantities of pure crystal methamphetamine and heroin. During the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 14.5 kilograms of pure crystal methamphetamine (96 percent to 100 percent pure), 5.5 kilograms of heroin, 19 firearms, and approximately six pounds of gold jewelry valued at approximately $95,000. In addition, law enforcement seized $1,171,353 in cash, alleged to be profits of Harrison’s drug organization.

“This investigation is evident of the law enforcement community’s ability to work together throughout various counties to fully investigate and bring to justice those involved in drug trafficking” said Adolphus P. Wright, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Field Division.

Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary said, ““As subject-matter experts in violent crime, firearms and explosives, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep illegal firearms out of our communities.”

“FDLE is pleased to participate with our partners in the successful effort to stop a massive, multi-county drug operation,” said John Burke, special agent in charge – Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Jacksonville Regional Operations Center. “Florida families in this region are now safer and more secure thanks to the combined work of law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (Gainesville Resident Office) in partnership with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team in Marion County, as well as the Marion, Lake, and Sumter County Sheriffs’ Offices, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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