[PHOTO CREDIT: Eustis Police Department]
[Original Publish Date: 05/29/21]
EUSTIS, Florida — Two toddlers were found in a home with “deplorable” conditions and nearly a dozen people were hauled off to jail after a search warrant was executed Friday following a weeks-long narcotics investigation, said Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri.
Eustis Police Department executed the warrant at 221 North Mary Street early Friday morning after receiving complaints about drug activity at the home that is less than 450 feet from a faith-based school.
“We had several complaints of drug activity in the area. This house is the nuisance house in the neighborhood,” Capri told Lake Legal News.
Multiple people were found in the home that was littered with garbage both inside and out, including Tiffany Micheala Collins, 29; Garrett Stephon Dixon, 29 and Christopher Lewis Dixon, 35. The trio was found in a room with two toddlers and multiple drugs. They were each charged with two counts of child neglect, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of THC oil and possession of drug paraphernalia. They are being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond. Collins was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear and violation of probation. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) was notified of the incident, Capri said.
The owner of the home, George Michael Vacherlon, 49, was arrested for maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of drug use, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in LCJ on $7,000 bond. Isaiah Scott Kohler, 23, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia; he is being held in LCJ on $5,000 bond. Stephanie Erin Bennett, 41, James “Pete” Fryer, 41, Rolando Trevino, 29 and Stefanie Carol Levan, 28, were each charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. They are being held in LCJ on $3,000 bond. Robert Eugene Rensel, 53, and Crystal Louise Bowman, 28, were both charged with possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia; they are each being held on $3,000 bond.
Capri told LLN this home— known for drug activity— was a safety issue and affecting the quality of life for neighboring homes and businesses. “We have zero tolerance for drug activity in the City of Eustis.”
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
