News and Investigations

Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, working with the Auburndale Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), have significantly disrupted the trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the county during an undercover investigation that resulted in several arrests and the seizure of drugs and weapons.

Operation End of Worlds resulted in 39 suspects arrested for multiple felonies (18 of whom were charged with drug trafficking), and the seizure of 4.4 pounds of fentanyl, 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.5 pounds of cocaine, 7.8 pounds of marijuana, 2 firearms, and approximately $4,650 in United States currency. Of the 18 suspects charged with trafficking, 11 are facing 25 year minimum-mandatory sentencing.

In all, 249 felonies and 42 misdemeanor charges were filed. The 39 suspects have combined criminal histories of 176 previous felonies; 49 felony convictions; and 177 previous misdemeanors; 79 misdemeanor convictions. All of the trafficking suspects are still in custody, being held on no bond.

The ringleader was identified as Michael Edwin Worlds, Jr.

“Operation End of Worlds shows that when we collaborate, we can take down drug trafficking organizations efficiently and with lasting impact,” said FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Dubina. “Florida is stronger and safer when our agencies are empowered with the resources and collaboration to protect their communities.”

“A month after securing a wire tap, we were serving search warrants and putting fentanyl and methamphetamine traffickers in jail. During these types of investigations, we focus on infiltrating the dealer to find the suppliers, and that’s exactly what we did. We took down two of the top five drug dealers in Lakeland, and in doing so, saved lives.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

In 2026, detectives began investigating Demairo Harden, a suspected fentanyl supplier in Lakeland. Worlds was then identified as the suspect who was supplying drugs to Harden. Detectives learned that Worlds lives at 1521 East Memorial Blvd in Lakeland, where numerous fentanyl purchases were facilitated. Garius Johnson was also identified as a courier for the fentanyl.

The investigation received authorization to use resources from the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant, as well as approval for wiretaps on Harden and World and surveillance of the members of the drug trafficking organization. After one week of monitoring their communications, two other wiretaps were approved for Nickolas Brantley and Cherrish Willis; Brantley was identified as World’s supplier, and Willis was identified as World’s primary drug courier.

Four search warrants were executed:

1521 East Memorial Blvd – identified as Worlds’ residence

Detectives located Worlds, Johnson, and Valyncia Burch at this residence. Burch was in possession of 58.2 grams of methamphetamine and $1,400 cash. Worlds was in possession of $3,250 cash. Johnson had 21.33 grams of marijuana in his possession. All three suspects were taken to jail:

• Michael Edwin Worlds, Jr., DOB 1/10/1978; charged with 67 total felonies: Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (6 counts), Trafficking in Fentanyl over 14 grams, Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl over 28 grams (3 counts), Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl (26 counts) Sale of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine (25 counts), Possession of Structure to Traffic Drugs, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Device, Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams, Possession of Cannabis WITS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)
  • He is facing 25 years minimum mandatory in prison with these charges
  • His criminal history includes 25 felony charges with 14 felony convictions; 30 misdemeanors with 14 misdemeanor convictions; 8 trips to state prison; released from prison in May 2025 after serving 4 years.

• Garius William Johnson, DOB 1/4/2003; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (2 counts), Trafficking Fentanyl over 14 grams, Maintaining a Vehicle for Drug Trafficking, Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams, Possession of Cannabis WITS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • He is facing 25 years minimum mandatory in prison with these charges
  • His criminal history includes 3 prior felonies and 7 misdemeanors
• Valyncia Burch, DOB 9/11/1983; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Maintaining a Structure to Traffic Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • Her criminal history includes 3 prior felonies and 5 misdemeanors

Economy Inn Hotel

Willis was observed leaving 1521 East Memorial Blvd and traveling to the Economy Inn Hotel, which is approximately two minutes away on Memorial Blvd, and going into room 36. During the search of that room, Willis was found in possession of 146.77 grams of cocaine, 203.63 grams of marijuana, 334.96 grams of fentanyl, 1.06 grams of methamphetamine, and a Glock 19 firearm. A query revealed that the Glock firearm had been reported missing within the jurisdiction of the Tampa Police Department. Willis was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail:

• Cherrish Willis (Valyncia’s daughter), DOB 9/24/1999; Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (11 counts), Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams (2 counts), Armed Trafficking in Cocaine over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl (3 counts), Sale of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine (2 counts), Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Device, Maintaining a Structure to Traffic Drugs, Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams, Possession of Cannabis WITS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
  • She is facing 25 years minimum mandatory in prison with these charges
  • Her criminal history includes a prior felony and prior misdemeanor

  1067 Dossey Oaks Lane – identified as a ‘stash house’

  Detectives located Melissa Sanchez, who shares a child with Worlds at this house. She had in her possession 380.62 grams of cocaine, 773 grams of fentanyl, and 3,580.04 grams of marijuana. She was taken into custody and charged accordingly:

• Melissa Jessica Sanchez, DOB 7/10/1983; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams, Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams, Possession of Structure to Traffic Drugs, Possession of Cannabis over 20 grams, Possession of Cannabis WITS
  • She is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison

  840 N. Missouri Avenue – identified as a ‘stash house’

  Detectives located Brantley at this address, where they seized 230.85 grams of cocaine and 4.23 grams of marijuana. Additionally, detectives discovered a magazine containing ammunition inside the home. Brantley is a convicted felon and he was arrested and charged:

• Nickolas Brantley, DOB 8/15/1978; Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl over 28 grams (2 counts), Maintaining a Structure to Traffic Drugs, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Device, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon
  • He is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison
  • His criminal history includes 12 prior felonies and 23 misdemeanors

Detectives facilitated numerous undercover drug purchases, which resulted in 31 additional drug-related arrests (18 of which are for felony trafficking), an arrest warrant issued, and two other arrests.

DRUG DEALERS ARRESTED:

Jennifer Gritten, DOB 11/10/1987; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, VOP (3 counts)

Jennifer Lynn Grimes, DOB 11/10/1987; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Demairo Harden, DOB 12/23/1988, Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (6 counts), Trafficking in Fentanyl over 14 grams, Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Meth over 200 grams, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Device; He is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison.

Shane Ryan Chewning, DOB 12/16/1993; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (9 counts), Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams, Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl (2 counts), Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Unlawful Use of 2-Way Device, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, PCSO Warrant for failure to appear to Weekend Work Release; He is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison.

OTHER DRUG-SALES RELATED ARRESTS:

Donovan Demond Holmes, DOB 2/11/1975; Trafficking Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Device

James Campbell, DOB 11/18/1976; Trafficking Methamphetamine over 200 grams (2 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine (2 Counts), Maintaining a Vehicle to Traffic Drugs (2 Counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (2 Counts), Unlawful use of a Two-Way Device

Kidanny Rivera Rolon, DOB 3/27/1995; Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams, Maintaining a Vehicle to Traffic Drugs, Resisting an Officer w/out Violence, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; He is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison

Cynthia Green, DOB 2/5/1958; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic Fentanyl, Possession of cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Device, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; She is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison

Kristy Chewning, DOB 7/21/1993, Trafficking in Fentanyl over 28 grams (3 counts), Trafficking in fentanyl over 4 grams, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, DWLSR, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Device; She is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison

William Francis Massey, DOB 1/23/1992; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams

Leckson Cineus, DOB 2/5/1995; Trafficking in Fentanyl over 4 grams, Maintaining a Vehicle to Traffic Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Attrice Brooks, DOB 12/26/1982; Trafficking in fentanyl over 4 grams (4 Counts), Trafficking in Fentanyl over 14 grams (1 Count), Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams (2 Counts), Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams (2 Counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Vehicle to Traffic Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Device; He is facing a 25 year minimum mandatory in state prison

Sheila Sandoval, DOB 4/1/1979; Possession of Cannabis under 20 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Stephan Arthur Rice, DOB 7/29/2002; Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Vehicle for Drug Use

Megan Renee Paige, DOB 11/7/1988; Solicitation to Purchase Fentanyl, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Vehicle for Drug Use, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device, PCSO Warrant – VOP DWLSR

Melody Cole Brillhart, DOB 11/1/1970; Solicitation to Purchase Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Cole Christopher Ragland, DOB 5/30/1997; Solicitation to Purchase Methamphetamine, Solicitation to Purchase Alprazolam, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device, Possession of Cannabis under 20 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Steven Matthew Smith, DOB 1/3/1980; Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cannabis Less Than 20 Grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Warrant (FTA – DWLSR)

Nicole Chanler Hall, DOB 7/19/1994; Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Offering to Commit Prostitution, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Darrell Henry Hall, DOB 9/7/1960; Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Calvin Jean Barnes, Jr., DOB 11/17/1982; Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Brooke Nichole Fishbeck, DOB 11/13/1974; Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Lindsey Fishbeck, DOB 8/20/1990; Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Dustin Mark Santos, DOB 5/30/1988; Conspiracy to Sell Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

April Morris, DOB 9/10/1981; Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Daniel Bowman, DOB 11/8/1978; Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Device

Donny Deon Briggs, DOB 11/10/1977; Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, VOP - Burglary

Heather Williams, DOB 10/11/1981; Possession of Cannabis Resin, Possession of Cannabis Less Than 20 Grams, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and PCSO Warrant for VOP Battery

Julius Taylor, DOB 9/24/1977; Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cannabis Less Than 20 Grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Melissa Berns, DOB 5/23/1987; Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Dexter Simmons; DOB 12/1/1970; Possession of Cannabis Resin, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

NON-drug-related arrests:

Karen Bowman, DOB 3/16/1961; Resisting arrest

Marc Kidwell, DOB 10/2/1962; DWLSR