Sheriff Grady Judd announced today the dismantling of violent criminal marijuana distribution networks by PCSO, DEA, and the Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force. In all, a corrupt police officer was arrested, 13 search warrants were executed, drugs and U.S. Currency was seized, 5 marijuana grow locations were closed, and 18 suspects were arrested on over 80 criminal charges, including RICO (Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organization Act).
In December of 2007, detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Central Florida HIDTA force, initiated an investigation into the distribution of marijuana within the Polk County area—“Operation Cast Cade.” Information developed by detectives pointed to two men who were believed to be involved in significant marijuana distribution and sales—25-year-old Clayton Hoerler of Lake Alfred and 27-year-old William “Big June” Cade of Haines City, the criminal boss of a tight-knit criminal group operating in east Polk County. The investigation was actively supported by and worked cooperatively with the Office of the State Attorney (Jerry Hill) 10th Judicial Circuit, the Florida Attorney General, Office of Statewide Prosecution, and the Lake Wales Police Department.
Timeline:
After extensive criminal probable cause was developed by detectives, on May 22, 2008, a judicial order authorizing a wire intercept of a cellular phone used by Clayton Hoerler was granted.
On May 29, Hoerler provided a tag number to Lake Wales Police Officer Keenan Colson and told him his partners needed to know to whom the tag was registered. Colson provided the tag information and revealed that the person was a Polk County Sheriff’s detective. Colson reiterated that he knew the detective personally and knew for a fact that he was still working for the Sheriff’s Office. Hoerler said that he (Hoerler) needed to notify his people so they would not deal with the detective.
On May 30, Hoerler provided Officer Colson with a name and wanted to know if the person had an outstanding warrant. Colson provided the information to Hoerler that the person did not have an outstanding warrant. Hoerler promised to buy Colson dinner for providing the information to him.
On June 7, detectives discovered through the wire tap that 30-year-old Donald Thompson, Jr. of Winter Haven was en-route to Hoerler’s residence to purchase marijuana. After Thompson picked up the marijuana, PCSO detectives surveilled and conducted a traffic stop on Thompson. A search of his vehicle revealed that he was in possession of approximately ½ pound of marijuana. Thompson was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on June 7th.
On June 8, Hoerler called Officer Colson to inform him that Thompson had been arrested on the previous day after he had picked up marijuana from his residence. Officer Colson then extensively coached and advised Hoerler about how to deal with Thompson going forward, warned him about police controlled phone calls and controlled drug buys, and how to avoid detection. Colson concluded the conversation by telling Hoerler that Thompson’s arrest and the subsequent problems and risks were all a part of the illegal business in which he was involved.
On June 12, detectives presented extensive investigative probable cause information and obtained a judicial order authorizing the interception of wire communications on phones used by William “Big June” Cade of Haines City.
On June 24, 2008, detectives intercepted a phone call between Cade and 26-year-old Felicia Zackery of Orlando—Zackery indicated that she would be delivering an unknown amount of marijuana to Cade. Detectives surveilled Zackery and 24-year-old Malan Barratt of Orlando as they left Cade’s residence. A traffic stop was initiated on their vehicle as it traveled back to Orlando and approximately $13,550 in U.S. Currency was seized. Zackery and Barratt were later arrested on August 11.
On July 19, detectives learned that 27-year-old Roderick Cox of Lake Alfred was en-route to Cade’s residence to pick up marijuana. Surveillance units located Cox as he left Cade’s residence and affected a traffic stop near Lake Alfred. A search of Cox’s vehicle revealed that he was in possession of approximately ½ pound of marijuana—Cox was arrested.
On July 24, detectives learned that 31-year-old Desmond Johnson of Lakeland was en-route to Cade’s residence to pick up marijuana. Surveillance units located Johnson after leaving Cade’s residence and attempted to stop him in Lakeland. Johnson fled from the traffic stop but was later apprehended in Hillsborough County. He was found to be in possession of approximately 4 pounds of marijuana and was arrested.
On August 11, detectives executed search warrants on William “Big June” Cade’s residence in Haines City. As a result of these search warrants detectives seized approximately 6 pounds of marijuana, six firearms—to include an AK-47 assault rifle (which Cade referred to as the “chopper”), 35 cannabis plants, a 1995 Chevy Tahoe, and approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency. Other associates of Cade’s were also arrested on various charges: 27-year-old Kimeo Manning of Winter Haven, 44-year-old Allan Martin of Haines City, 44-year-old Kenneth Horton of Kissimmee, and 29-year-old Alton Jackson of Orlando.
August 13: 50-year-old Lake Wales Police Officer Keenan Colson of Bartow was arrested on multiple charges with the full cooperation of the Lake Wales Police Department, which has actively participated in the investigation. Lake Wales P.D. immediately fired Officer Colson. Detectives execute 6 search warrants related to Clayton Hoerler and his associates. Hoerler was arrested. Hoerler’s uncle, 40-year-old Darin Hoerler of Orlando, was arrested. Hoerler’s mother, 50-year-old Bernadette Hoerler of Lake Hamilton, was arrested on money laundering and other charges. Other criminal associates of Hoerler’s were also arrested: 48-year-old Michael Milliken of Lake Hamilton, 49-year-old Henry Jenkins of Haines City, 50-year-old Charles Miller of Winter Haven, and 35-year-old Jamie L. Crews of Lake Hamilton. Detectives seized 1 kilo of powdered cocaine and 9 oz. of crack cocaine from Crews’ residence.
26-year-old Charles E. Russell, Jr., who has a warrant for his arrest for for 1 count Sale of Cannabis, 1 count Unlawful Use of 2-way Communications Device, and 1 count Conspiracy RICO, is at large and is being actively sought by Polk County Sheriff's deputies. Russell was released from state prison in February 2008 on numerous drug charges, and his last two known addresses are 322 Pearl Street in Lake Hamilton, or 306 North Blvd West in Davenport. He is a black male, 5’8”, 230 lbs., with a tattoo on his left arm depicting a cross, and a tattoo on his right arm depicting Jesus and praying hands. Russell’s 2004 PCSO jail mug shot is pictured below.
Other investigative detail briefs:
William “Big June” Cade is fascinated with and idolizes the Al Pacino character in the movie “Scarface.” He has a large mural in his home picturing Scarface holding a machine gun. Cade considered himself a part of the “gangsta” criminal culture. Cade referred to his Ak-47 assault rifle as “the chopper.”
Cade told deputies that he has been involved in the illegal drug trade since he was 16 and that it was exclusively how he made his living and that drug dealing was all he knew how to do.
Detectives tracked dozens of illegal drug transactions made by Cade and Hoerler since the beginning of the investigation.
Detectives have associated two separate marijuana indoor grow operations with Cade.
Detectives have associated three separate marijuana indoor grow operations with Hoerler.
Clayton Hoerler has been charged with child abuse stemming from taking his 4-year-old daughter with him to purchase 2 pounds of marijuana on June 7, 2008.
The Cade/Hoerler criminal enterprises distributed drugs throughout Polk County, including east and northeast Polk County, Lake Alfred, Winter Haven, and Lakeland.
As a result of “Operation Cast Cade,” detectives have seized approximately $60,000 in U.S. currency.
As a result of “Operation Cast Cade,” detectives have seized approximately 20 pounds of marijuana and 168 marijuana plants.
Lake Wales Police Officer Keenan Colson has worked previously for the Lake Hamilton Police Department and the Bartow Police Department.
Hoerler is pronounced: “Hoy-ler.”
4 wire intercepts were obtained from the 10th Judicial Circuit, 1 related to Hoerler and 3 related to Cade.
The Florida Attorney General, Office of Statewide Prosecution will be prosecuting the following suspects: William Cade, Allen Martin, Kimeo Manning, Felicia Zackery, and Malan Barrett.