A multi-agency drug investigation targeting an organized criminal network trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine has resulted in 51 arrests and racketeering charges against 10 defendants, authorities announced Friday.
The investigation began in April 2025 and wrapped up in December after investigators secured two court-authorized wiretaps. Officials described it as one of the largest gang takedowns in Florida over the past year.
Investigators seized 78 pounds of methamphetamine, 14.55 pounds of fentanyl, an amount officials said could kill approximately 3.3 million people, along with 13 firearms and $20,000 in cash. Five suspects remain at large.
Authorities identified William “Knowledge” Newton Jr., 39, of Winter Haven, as a central figure. Officials said he was on probation for cocaine sale at the time and is under investigation in connection with a homicide. He now faces charges including trafficking in fentanyl and cocaine, as well as violation of probation.
“This is an organized criminal network,” Judd said. “These are very, very dangerous people.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the case highlights the deadly impact of fentanyl trafficking and pledged aggressive prosecution.
“We’re going to go after these guys with everything we’ve got,” Uthmeier said. “This is one of the biggest gang takedowns over the last year.”
The investigation involved more than two dozen local, state, and federal agencies.
• Jemarion Young, 36, Winter Haven. A Florida gang leader, and a drug trafficker of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Young is currently in the Polk County Jail, charged with: Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Trafficking in Fentanyl (10 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl (2-counts), Trafficking Methamphetamine (12-counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine (19-counts), Possess Structure/Vehicle for Drug Trafficking, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device, and Possess/Use Narcotic Paraphernalia.
• Britney Jefferson, 37, Winter Haven. Jefferson is currently in the Polk County Jail with charges of: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine (8-counts) and Unlawful Use of a 2-Way Communication Device. She is accused of coordinating a delivery of methamphetamine from California to Polk County. Jefferson is the sister of Demarcus and Antonio Jefferson who were both arrested during the PCSO’s Operation Flying Ice in 2022.
• Joshua Puckelwartz, 33, Tampa. Puckelwartz (no longer in custody) is a rapper who calls himself Tommi Boy Wayne. Puckelwartz had numerous communications with Jemarion Young. During a joint operation with FDLE and FHP, Puckelwartz fled from a traffic stop by FHP on January 28, 2026, and crashed on I-275. He was arrested while in possession of about 12 pounds of methamphetamine. He was arrested in Polk County on a Pinellas County warrant for Trafficking in Cocaine.
• Michael Wells, 34, Winter Haven. Wells is currently in the Polk County Jail. Wells is a close associate of Jemarion Young, and would participate in the acquisition of methamphetamine from Puckelwartz. Wells and Jemarion also supplied numerous pounds of methamphetamine to Spencer Leonard, Jr. Michael Wells has been charged with: Trafficking methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine (17-counts), Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Marijuana, Unlawful Use of a 2-way Communication Device, Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of a Structure/Vehicle to Sell Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2-counts).
• Steven Jackson, 32, Lakeland. Jackson is currently in the Polk County Jail with charges for: Armed Trafficking in Amphetamine, Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Heroin, Trafficking in Fentanyl (7-counts), Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon, Possess Structure/Vehicle for Drug Trafficking, Possession of Alprazolam with Intent to Sell, Unlawful Use of 2-way Communication Device, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jackson is a gang member, and was identified as a supplier of fentanyl to Jemarion Young.
• Bruce Young, 37, Lakeland. Young is currently not in custody; he has an outstanding Polk County warrant for: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Racketeering, Trafficking in Amphetamine, and Unlawful Use of a 2-Way Communication Device. After serving a 7-year sentence in Florida State Prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, Young was released on November 29, 2025. That same day, he communicated with Jemarion Young about reestablishing contact with his former meth supplier in California to resume selling it.
• Jerell Carr, 35, Lakeland. Carr is currently in the Polk County Jail, on charges of: Trafficking in Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine (6-counts), Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, Racketeering, Fleeing to Elude, Fleeing to Elude Causing Injury or Death, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams, Keep a Public Nuisance Structure for Drug Activity, Unlawful Use of a 2-Way Communication Device, Culpable Negligence Inflicting Harm (2-counts), Culpable Negligence Exposure to Harm (4-counts), Dangerous Excessive Speeding, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, and Obstruct without Violence. On June 5, 2025, Carr, a gang member, was released from Florida State Prison after serving a 7-year sentence for trafficking methamphetamine. Like Bruce Young, Carr immediately went back to drug dealing. On January 16, 2026, he crashed his car after fleeing from an FHP Trooper in Lakeland. He was arrested and found to be in possession of 52.6 grams of cocaine, 135.2 grams of fentanyl, and 20.2 grams of marijuana.
51 down and 51,000 to go.