DEA Orlando Office Arrest 20 In Illicit Prescription Drug Trafficking Ring
ORLANDO, Fla. - A.D. Wright, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution’s one-and-a-half-year investigation into an illicit prescription drug trafficking ring culminated last week with the arrests of 20 individuals. These individuals participated in a prescription drug trafficking ring that funneled prescription drugs throughout Central Florida. The leaders of this drug trafficking organization, Juan Jose Sapeg, Roy Caceres, and Jeffrey Grove, were arrested in August 2014 for paying relatives and others to obtain oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone that then transported and sold throughout Central Florida.
DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge A.D. Wright stated, “These arrests and charges are a reminder that there’s still a serious prescription drug epidemic in South Florida and the United States. DEA remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of illegally diverted pharmaceutical drugs and to prosecute those who look to profit from these criminal activities.”
“Prescription drug abuse continues to claim lives in Florida, and we will continue to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as state and local law enforcement, in our efforts to stop prescription drug abuse,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Investigators discovered that Jeffrey Grove, an employee of Charles Schwab, purchased media projectors through his company account, which he, along with Juan Jose Sapeg and Roy Caceres, would then sell in order to fund their drug trafficking organization.
The following defendants are being charged with conspiracy to traffic and trafficking in oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone:
- JUAN JOSE SAPEG
- ROY CACERES
- JEFFREY GROVE
- RUBEN GREENWOOD
- RORY HAFEMEISTER
- JANET TATUM
- JOHN CILLA
- KATHLEEN BAIRD
- RAFAEL DIAZ
- MATHEW NUNEZ
- HERMAN WALDEN
- RAFAEL GOMEZ
- HAYDEE VASQUEZ
- JUAN MALDONADO
- CHELSEA MASTROCOLLA
- DELIA LABOY
- LAUREN JENSEN
- DAVID BRIDGE
- ALYSSA MOSCA
- JAMIE RODDY
- JONATHAN MELLOWSHIP
- CHRISTINE BARKER and
- DEANDRE McCRAY
In addition, Jeffrey Grove is being charged with grand theft greater than $100,000.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA Orlando District Office and will be prosecuted by Attorney General Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. The Brevard County Sheriff Office, Lake County Sheriff Office, and DEA Tampa District Office assisted in the week long arrests of these defendants.
These charges are only an accusation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
