WCSO makes arrest as part of ongoing "Operation Death Dealer" operation

On September 7, 2022, Wakulla County Sheriff's Office detectives, alongside Leon County Sheriff's Office detectives, agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, members of North Star Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force and K9 Officers from the Florida Department of Corrections, executed a search warrant at 799 Rehwinkel Road, Crawfordville, Florida, as part of our ongoing efforts with “Operation Death Dealer.” As a result of the search warrant execution, Curtis Ray Woodward, 27 years of age, and Candace Ashley Mermer, 36 years of age, were arrested for Trafficking of Fentanyl, Child Neglect and various other charges. (Part of the investigation leading to the subsequent search warrant, controlled buys were conducted of which elementary age children were present during some of the transactions.)

Operation Death Dealer was began in order to specifically address the rise in illegal fentanyl distribution which has led to numerous overdoses in North Florida and across the state. Those overdoses often lead to serious medical conditions, and or death. Operation Death Dealer is a multi-faceted ongoing operation.

On September 7, 2022, Wakulla County and Leon County Sheriff's Office detectives, FDLE Agents, North Star Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force members, and DOC traveled to 799 Rehwinkel Road. upon entry of the residence and execution of the search warrant Curtis and Candace were taken into custody, also present were two elementary aged children. Detectives observed two bags containing a white powder on a dresser top which subsequently tested positive for fentanyl. Also found was a set of digital scales, which had white powder residue on them. All items were seized as evidence. During a search of the vehicle in the front yard belonging to Candace, detectives located a cut straw with fentanyl residue on it within the vehicle in plain view. The cut straw was seized as evidence.

After Curtis was informed of the reason he was being placed under arrest he became irate, began kicking the interior of the patrol vehicle and head butting the cage of the vehicle. While the door was open Curtis forcefully tried to exit the vehicle, hitting a detective in the process. Curtis was subdued and transported to the Wakulla County Jail.

Curtis Ray Woodward was arrested and booked into the Wakulla County Jail on the following charges:

• F.S. 893.135.1C1- Trafficking in controlled substance 4 grams to 30 Kilograms.

• F.S. 827.03.20- Child Neglect X2

• F.S. 784.07.2B- Battery on Law enforcement officer.

• F.S. 893.147.1- Possession of drug paraphernalia.

• F.S. 893.13.1A1 Synthetic Narcotic Possession. X2

• F.S. 893.13.1A1 Synthetic Narcotic Sell. X2

• F.S. 934.215 Illegal Use of a Two-Way Communication Device X2

Candace Ashley Mermer was arrested and booked into the Wakulla County Jail on the following charges:

• F.S. 893.135.1C1- Trafficking in controlled substance 4 grams to 30 Kilograms.

• F.S. 827.03.20- Child Neglect

• F.S. 893.147.1- Possession of drug paraphernalia.