[PHOTO CREDIT: Florida Dept. of Corrections / Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 12/10/19]
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BASSVILLE PARK, Florida — A man who had what the Lake County Sheriff’s Office called a one-stop shop of illegal narcotics is behind bars following a narcotics operation Friday in this small community near Leesburg.
During phase one of Operation Bassville Park, LCSO’s Special Investigations Unit and the Street Crimes Unit targeted known drug areas and dealers in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal narcotics into the area, LCSO Sgt. Fred Jones said in a press release.
During the operation, deputies spotted Nicholas Bradway, 37, of Leesburg driving a silver Acura. Deputies attempted to stop Bradway, who is known to detectives for drugs and not having a valid driver license. Bradway fled the area and deputies were able to utilize, “specific techniques” to follow Bradway without his knowledge, Jones said.
Bradway crashed the Acura into a tree at Carlton Court and 11th Street in Leesburg and was taken into custody. Upon searching the car, detectives found 52 grams of methamphetamine, plastic bags containing Fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, Hydrocodone, Suboxone and paraphernalia. The amount of drugs and the way they were packaged in indicative of drug dealing, Jones said.
Bradway is facing a litany of charges, including driving with a suspended license-habitual, fleeing and eluding, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession cocaine, possession of Fentanyl, possession of Hydrocodone, possession of Suboxone, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on $165,000 bond.
Earlier this year, Bradway was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison for drug and traffic charges. According to records from the Florida Department of Corrections, Bradway was sentenced Jan. 8 for fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license and possession of heroin and methamphetamine. He was released from prison Oct. 4.
After receiving complaints relating to Kyle Lloyd Vanzant, 22, deputies pulled him over and searched the vehicle he was in. Detectives found a 9mm Taurus handgun previously stolen from Apopka, prepackaged bags of methamphetamine and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia.
Detectives also found a bag of Fentanyl, but determined it belonged to someone else. That person is currently under investigation, Jones said. Vanzant, of Leesburg, was charged with grand theft of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on $8,000 bond.
This is Vanzant’s second arrest in as many months. On Oct. 10, he was charged with carrying a concealed firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. In 2018, Vanzant was charged with use/display of a firearm during a felony, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of Alprazolam with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. All of those charges were later dropped.
Also arrested in the sting was Taylor Renee Rigano, 27. Rigano was pulled over in a blue SUV and upon searching the vehicle detectives found user amounts of heroin, Fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana in addition to needles and smoking devices. Rigano was charged with one count of possession of each drug and the paraphernalia. She was released on her own recognizance the same day she was arrested.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
