ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla (CBS12) — Operation Summer Heat, a multi-agency crackdown targeting violent crime, gang activity, illegal guns and narcotics in St. Lucie County, has now led to 24 arrests and the recovery of seven firearms after four days of enforcement, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
The operation brings together the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations in a coordinated effort to disrupt criminal activity and remove illegal weapons and drugs from the community.
Authorities said the initiative began with intelligence-driven policing, visible patrols and proactive traffic enforcement. Earlier in the operation, deputies reported arrests involving wanted individuals, narcotics charges and firearm-related offenses. The first three days of the operation resulted in 10 arrests and six firearms recovered, including an AR-15-style pistol with altered serial numbers and an illegal machine gun conversion device known as a “switch.”
A switch can allow a semi-automatic firearm to fire at a fully automatic rate, making it especially dangerous to the public and responding law enforcement officers.
On Day 4, authorities said the operation continued to gain momentum with eight additional arrests, drug seizures and the recovery of one more firearm.
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Samuel Savilus, 31, was arrested on charges of trafficking in fentanyl, fleeing to elude and possession of drug paraphernalia. Billy Banks, 50, was arrested on charges of trafficking in MDPV and possession of drug paraphernalia. Cynthia Lawrence, 61, was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Operation Summer Heat reaches 24 arrests, 7 firearms seized as St. Lucie County agencies target drugs, gangs and violent crime. Samuel Savilus, Billy Banks, Cynthia Lawrence, Simon Pierre, Alvin Slater, Miguel Ascencio and Trawon Weathers were arrested along with a juvenile during Day 4 of Operation Summer Heat in St. Lucie County, according to the sheriff’s office. (SLCSO)
A juvenile was also arrested on charges of tampering with evidence, grand theft auto and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance. The juvenile’s name was not released.
Simon Pierre, 65, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for fraud-criminal use of personal identification. Alvin Slater, 56, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for order revoking pretrial release-possession of MDMA.
Miguel Angel Ascencio, 26, was arrested on a charge of possession of cocaine, and Trawon Shemar Weathers, 27, was arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.
After four days, the sheriff’s office said Operation Summer Heat has resulted in 20 adult arrests, four juvenile arrests, seven firearms recovered, one illegal machine gun conversion device recovered and one AR-15-style pistol with altered serial numbers recovered.
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The sheriff’s office said the effort is focused on identifying and apprehending violent offenders, disrupting criminal activity and removing illegal weapons and drugs from St. Lucie County streets.
Authorities said the operation remains ongoing.