INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Multiple monthslong narcotics investigations, including one involving Drug Enforcement Administration agents, led to the arrest of three men on dozens of drug-related charges, law enforcement records show.
The Indian River County men were arrested Oct. 29 following unrelated investigations occurring July through August, according to the records.
Detectives conducted multiple undercover surveilled transactions which took place at or near the homes of two men, and the transactions were near churches leading to additional charges.
Several purchases of cocaine and crack cocaine were made during those months, mostly under an ounce. However, DEA agents were involved in an operation involving a deal made for between 3 to 4 ounces of the narcotic for around $3,000.
Deputies arrested Jonathan Hillsman, 41, at his residence in the 2100 block of 42nd Street, Oct. 29 at roughly 3:15 p.m.
His arrest occurred through a warrant containing, in some instances, multiple counts of the following charges:
Andrew Jones Jr., 43, was arrested Oct. 29 just before 4 p.m. near his residence in the 1900 block of 19th Street, as deputies were “actively searching” for him with a warrant containing several charges.
During his arrest, he was observed by deputies in a helicopter, traveling on Old Dixie Highway to the 1900 block of 19th Street, where they said in a report Jones was seen “concealing (a) bag in a bush,” later found to contain 6 ounces of cocaine and crack cocaine along with multiple prescription narcotics.
Deputies surrounded his vehicle and took him into custody on charges, including several counts of:
A third man was arrested on similar charges Oct. 29. He was said in records to be an accomplice of Jones and in his arrest warrant was said to “orchestrate a narcotics transaction” involving the larger amount of cocaine.
Timothy Smith, 57, of the 1800 block of 20th Avenue, was arrested on a warrant at 3:42 p.m. in the 1500 block of 20th Street.
His charges were listed in court records as follows:
All three men remain incarcerated at Indian River County Jail. Smith is being held without bail while Hillsman and Jones were given bails between $500,000 and $600,000.
Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Three Vero Beach area men arrested after sheriff’s drug investigations, one involving DEA
Reporting by Corey Arwood, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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