PENSACOLA, Fla. — Florida law enforcement executed a major drug trafficking bust in Pensacola as part of Operation Nottingham, arresting 15 people and seizing large quantities of drugs, cash, firearms, and vehicles.
Since April, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and local agencies investigated a trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl and other controlled substances across northwest Florida. Authorities executed 22 search warrants, leading to the seizure of 58 pounds of methamphetamine, 35 pounds of marijuana, and 14.6 pounds of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is the most dangerous drug I’ve ever encountered. More dangerous than heroin, meth, or crack cocaine,” said Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. Commissioner Mark Glass added, “This product has come in and infested our state, and it is killing people left and right.”
Investigators also seized five vehicles, over $60,000 in cash, and 30 firearms, four of which were stolen. Many of the individuals arrested are convicted felons with significant criminal histories.
The operation’s ringleader, 43-year-old Michael Perry Robinson, faces multiple charges including racketeering, trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, money laundering, and the sale or delivery of marijuana. Several other defendants face similar charges, including trafficking, conspiracy, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
FDLE Special Agent in Charge Chris Williams noted that many arrested were repeat offenders, while Sheriff Simmons said, “Escambia County is safer today than it was last week.”
The operation was funded by the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, which has led to 2,400 arrests and over 500 pounds of fentanyl seized statewide in recent years. Investigators are still seeking seven additional suspects connected to the operation.
Notable Arrests from Operation Nottingham
Michael Perry Robinson, 43, Pensacola – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl, meth, cocaine, marijuana, money laundering
Gretchen Suzanne Duplechain, 46 – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl, money laundering
John Christopher Porterfield, 65 – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl, meth, cocaine
Courtney Donnell Killette, 40 – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl
Anthony James Saulsberry, 43 – racketeering, operating a drug house
Donterious Marquis Evans, 37 – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl
Colton Carneil Sims, 35 – conspiracy to sell/produce marijuana
Billy Dewayne Johnson, 39 – racketeering, trafficking fentanyl, Schedule II drugs
Antonie Miguel Jones, 30 – racketeering, money laundering
Anthony Ladarren Kimble, 44 – racketeering, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, cocaine
Rhondell Grandison, 34 – probation violation
Johnny Dewayne Stallworth, 50 – trafficking cocaine
Ivory Ambrose Fogan, 37 – racketeering, conspiracy to traffic fentanyl
Jashu Rodriguez Bonner, 32 – conspiracy to sell/produce marijuana
Cordarious Ladell Wheeler, 38 – conspiracy to sell/produce cocaine and Schedule II drugs
