An employee of the Florida Department of Children and Families was arrested Monday and accused of trafficking more than a half-pound of cocaine and more than two ounces of heroin.
Laymeshia Hicks, 25, of Mulberry was a child-protection investigator and has been fired, said Carrie Horstman, spokeswoman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. She turned herself in Monday evening, Horstman said.
“When we have to interview children for any reason at all, [child-protection investigators] usually accompany us on many types of these cases,” Horstman said.
Her fiance, Xzaiveous Scott, 31, of Mulberry, is wanted on the same charges. Deputies were looking for him late Monday, Horstman said.
Deputies found the drugs in the master bedroom when they responded to an armed home-invasion call last Friday at the couple’s home, Horstman said. Scott’s nephews, ages 16 and 18, were there when two intruders forced their way inside and ransacked the house, she said.
Investigators found 68 grams of heroin and 288 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of about $35,000, authorities said.
Hicks and Scott weren’t at home at the time. Hicks’ 3-year-old child also lives there, Horstman said.
Hicks was jailed on charges including trafficking in heroin over 28 grams and trafficking in cocaine over 200 grams.
Scott pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in 2007 in Polk County, court records show. Hicks has no criminal record, Horstman said.
Eleven couples renew their vows on Valentine's Day.
Eleven couples renew their vows on Valentine's Day.
Eleven couples renew their vows on Valentine's Day.
Eleven couples renew their vows on Valentine's Day.
A man wearing a bulletproof vest fled from DeLand police this morning, leading law enforcement on a chase that ended with a fiery crash in Lake County.
A man wearing a bulletproof vest fled from DeLand police this morning, leading law enforcement on a chase that ended with a fiery crash in Lake County.
A violent attack near the Four Corners area in Lake County early Thursday ended with a woman stabbing a man who allegedly tried to rape her.
A violent attack near the Four Corners area in Lake County early Thursday ended with a woman stabbing a man who allegedly tried to rape her.
The agency has had over 300 chases since 2013 and after a shift in policy, police chases in Lake County dropped drastically.
The agency has had over 300 chases since 2013 and after a shift in policy, police chases in Lake County dropped drastically.
A celebration of life funeral service will be held Thursday for Debbie Irwin and her 3-year-old granddaughter Fallon Painter, who were killed over the weekend in a crash.
A celebration of life funeral service will be held Thursday for Debbie Irwin and her 3-year-old granddaughter Fallon Painter, who were killed over the weekend in a crash.
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