A prolific Daytona Beach drug dealer connected to multiple Central Florida overdose death investigations is in custody. The drug dealer previously fled from a traffic stop months ago, and according to law enforcement has 48 prior felony charges with 20 convictions, and 19 prior misdemeanor charges with 6 convictions.
Back on August 10th, Chief Deputy Brian Henderson initiated a traffic stop on a black Nissan Altima for speeding about 70 mph on Ridgewood Avenue in the Holly Hill area.
The Altima fled at high speed, with the occupants tossing drugs out of the window. For the safety of the general public, deputies did not engage in a high-speed pursuit. Air One monitored from overhead, and spotted the occupants of the vehicle abandoning it on Stocking Street in Daytona Beach.
Through further investigation, detectives were able to identify the driver as Shawn M. Adams, who had five prior convictions in Volusia County for fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.
It was also determined that Adams, who had been released from state prison about 2 weeks before the incident, held 48 prior felony charges with 20 convictions, and 19 prior misdemeanor charges with 6 convictions. Some of his prior charges include trafficking and possession of drugs, grand theft of a motor vehicle (4 times), burglary (3 times), aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2017, and identified as a member of a “Felony Lane” group traveling through several different states committing vehicle burglaries.
This week, detectives located Adams, conducted surveillance and moved in to arrest him as he was conducting a drug transaction on Terrace Avenue in Daytona Beach. He attempted to flee in a Cadillac SUV, ramming the detectives’ unmarked vehicles in the process. The vehicles were damaged, but Adams was safely taken into custody along with two others.
During a search of the SUV, detectives found trafficking amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine along with crack cocaine and marijuana, and a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun.
Adams was arrested on his warrant for fleeing, as well as new charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude, trafficking in fentanyl and meth, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, possession of more than 20g marijuana, and driving with a suspended license.
A passenger, Deonte Broady was also arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation for fleeing.
Adams and an associate are both subjects of investigations into overdose deaths, and additional charges are possible.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office Overdose Task Force is pursuing every overdose in our jurisdiction to identify and arrest the dealer wherever possible. The task force is also partnering with the Volusia Recovery Alliance to connect overdose survivors and their families with resources to recover from addiction.
Volusia County has seen a reduction in overdoses (down about 18 percent) and overdose deaths (about 11 percent) compared to 2021, when they reached some of their highest levels here and across the country. However, with more than 200 overdose deaths recorded countywide so far in 2023, families are still losing too many loved ones. Fentanyl is one of the most common substances in all overdoses, and is increasingly found mixed with other narcotics without the knowledge of the user.
“We are going to continue to attack this crisis one drug dealer at a time, and this is just one more example of an arrest that will save lives,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said of this week’s result. “We also know that we can’t just arrest our way out of this as long as fentanyl keeps pouring into our country and community. With the combined efforts of the Overdose Task Force, the Volusia Recovery Alliance, and all our partners, we’re doing everything we can to prevent needless deaths and pain for so many families.”
