Eight members of a Central Florida drug trafficking organization based in Webster have been arrested on federal charges. The arrested suspects are from Webster, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
The drug operation spanned Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Sumter County, and Pinellas County.
United States Attorney Roger Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging seven individuals with drug trafficking offenses. The indictment also notifies the individuals that the United States intends to forfeit a purple Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol and assorted ammunition. An eighth individual was charged by criminal complaint.
- 46-year-old Clarence Ford, Jr., of Webster
- 35-year-old Willie Ford III, of Webster
- 41-year-old Justin Demon Lowery, of Webster
- 25-year-old Matthew Stanley Simmons III, of New Port Richey
- 44-year-old Antwan D. Williams, of Webster
- 30-year-old William Cody Ferguson, of Tampa
- 56-year-old Johnny Leanda Harris, of Webster
- 36-year-old Theron Mathews, of New Port Richey
According to court filings and information presented during the detention hearings, Clarence Ford, Jr. served as a main source of supply for methamphetamine in the Webster area. His drug trafficking organization stretched into Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Sumter County, and Pinellas County.
Ford supplied drugs to Willie Ford, Matthew Simmons, Justin Lowery, Antwan Williams, and Johnny Harris. These individuals are allegedly responsible for distributing more than 2,970 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 129 grams of fentanyl and conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine during the conspiracy.
On May 14, 2024, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested the seven individuals charged by indictment. During a search warrant executed at Simmons’s residence, agents located fentanyl, scales, blenders, and firearms. As a result, Simmons’s roommate, Theron Mathews, was arrested and charged via a criminal complaint.
In total, the agents seized 11 firearms, approximately 800 grams of fentanyl, approximately 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, 2 kilogram press machines, a pill press machine, and $40,000 in cash from members of the organization during arrest operations.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky is handling the forfeiture.
