In a combined law enforcement operation in Brevard County between the Sheriff’s
Department and various city police departments, numerous criminals have
been arrested.
Florida Today reports a 60-day intensive enforcement operation named ‘Operation
Clean Sweep’ resulted in 236 arrests. Both Brevard Sheriff Department
deputies and police officers of various cities worked together to track
down criminals and remove them from the streets of Brevard County.
Major Todd Hutchinson related an incident in which a combined team of law
enforcement officers were staking out the apartment of one drug dealer.
When the suspect, Alton Johnson, was spotted, officers were initially
worried the suspect would put up a fight. However, when uniformed officers
cornered him, the suspect stepped out of his vehicle and was arrested
without a struggle. Hutchinson added these are the type of arrest they
want; no one is hurt and the suspect cooperates.
“We believe because of the show of force the suspect did not resist
and he gave up because he realized there were several officers on him.”
Johnson, 34, who is from Titusville, has a felony history being found guilty
of selling cocaine twice in the past. He was booked in jail on charges
of possession of cocaine and marijuana.
Operation Clean Sweep came about as a response to the spike of violent
crime in Brevard County. In all, 236 arrests were made, 28 firearms were
seized, $17,000 was seized, three meth labs and one marijuana grow operation
were dismantled.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a release, “By combining
resources and removing those who refuse to live by the law, we hope that
our message was delivered loud and clear… there is no room in Brevard
County for those who choose to victimize and torment our citizens. But
we are more than willing to make room in the county jail.”