May 1, 2021 12:11 PM
DeLand, FL - Investigators obtain 17 arrest warrants and apprehend 16 individuals who are now facing drug charges in an operation launched following a string of homicides in West Volusia. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO) launched the operation and targeted high-crime locations in the DeLand and Deltona areas. Investigators say the operation was prompted by violent crime, including a recent string of homicides in these areas. Since last Friday (April 24), deputies have investigated the deaths of 27-year-old Clifton Hafner of New Smyrna Beach, who was shot in Spring Hill; and 23-year-old Marvin Keith Evans III of Sanford, who was found shot dead in Deltona. Deputies have since obtained 17 arrest warrants connected to this operation—known as Operation Sales-2-Cells —resulting from ongoing investigations of drug sales. Between Thursday and Friday (April 29, 30), law enforcement made 16 arrests and seized a 9mm handgun and an array of na
Volusia County Sheriff s Office deputies and detectives arrested 16 people in DeLand and Deltona as part of an operation prompted by a spree of crimes in the past week, including two homicides.
The operation Thursday and Friday resulted in seizure of a large assortment of illegal drugs as well as a 9 mm handgun in possession of a convicted felon, according to a news release from the Sheriff s Office. The agency also released video showing two of the arrests.
Here s who got arrested
The suspects arrested in the raid were Antwon Smiley, 33; Tyson Ross, 31; Jason Dobson, 36; Brandon Williams, 31; Adam Hornung, 40; Robert Rodriguez, 29; Brandon Harris, 35; Shawn Ingle, 50; Freddie Farley, 58; Eileen Foley, 59; Tasha Green, 35; Kenyonte Grimes, 18; Rhonda Schnidt, 34; Micheal Lortos, 41; Troy Nisbett, 45; and a 17-year-old whose name was not released.
Westland s elections this year are going to be crowded.
Five residents have filed to run for mayor and 13 are competing for four open council seats. Both races will require an August primary to pare the mayor s race to two candidates and the council pool to eight.
All candidates have until Friday to withdraw.
Hometown Life asked each candidate why they chose to run. Here s what they had to say:
Mayor race
The elected mayor makes $121,574 annually and serves a four-year term. Bill Wild is the city s current mayor.
William Asper: I grew up in Westland, and the area then compared to now is horrible. We have one of the highest millage rates in the area, our schools are mediocre at best and there s a lot of corruption and greed. Something needs to get done.
Westland mayor files for reelection, four council seats up for grabs
This year will be an important one for the future Westland s city government.
In November, voters will choose a mayor and fill four council seats. Though local elections typicaly aren t as popular as the ones that reach a national stage, local officials are the ones who determine water rates, property taxes and trash fees that affect the vast majority of residents.
Here s what Westland residents can expect to see on ballots this year:
Mayor s race
The city s current mayor, Bill Wild, already filed to run for reelection. Wild, who was first elected the mayor s office in 2007 and had a lengthy tenure on city council before that, is the only candidate to file for election so far, according to the clerk s office. Wild, seeking a fourth term, is the city s longest serving mayor.
“What I’m a little concerned about is if we go into a prolonged shutdown after the first of the year, Wild said. Our businesses are getting their tax bills this month, and the summer tax bill is a big bill. So, my fear is businesses will have a hard time paying taxes. That’s something we’ll be working with city council on.”
The mayor said state and federal aid helped Westland financially in 2020, but the city will feel the economic effects of the pandemic in different ways next year.
“What financial impact is the city going to have from this COVID thing? Council President Jim Hart said. Usually, it takes a little while for cities to start feeling the ripple effect and economic impacts.”