FORT PIERCE – On Day 5 of Operation Summer Heat, a collaborative crime suppression initiative in St. Lucie County, focused on reducing violent crime, targeting gang activity, removing illegal firearms, and combating narcotics activity, nine adults and one juvenile were arrested, according to a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook posting.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Pierce Police Department, in partnership with the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Homeland Security Investigations, made the arrests through traffic enforcement efforts and warrant checks throughout targeted areas of St. Lucie County, according to the Facebook posting.

Arrested were:

• Kevin Walker, 53, possession of cocaine, marijuana under 20 grams, and resisting without violence;

• Tonya Ferbert, 36, possession of cocaine and marijuana under 20 grams;

• Jabari Cowart, 36, warrants for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of cocaine; possession of a controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Joseph Dapolito, 63, driving without a license;

• Jonas Joseph, 45, possession of marijuana under 20 grams;

• Dejon Lawrence, 26, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer; resisting without violence; possession of marijuana under 20 grams; and reckless driving;

• Karon Wade, 25, accessory after the fact, and resisting without violence;

• Camaron Wade, 22, resisting without violence;

• Devonteial Gibson, 32, possession of cocaine; and resisting without violence

• Juvenile, 16, attempted homicide; tampering with evidence; and unlawful carry of a firearm by a person under 18.

After five days of coordinated enforcement efforts, Operation Summer Heat has produced the following results:

• 29 adult arrests;

• Five juvenile arrests;

• Eight firearms recovered;

• One illegal machine gun conversion device (“Switch”) recovered;

• Two AR-15 style pistols (one with altered serial numbers) recovered.

“Operation Summer Heat continues to prove the value of strong law enforcement partnerships,” said Sheriff Richard Del Toro in the Facebook posting. “The swift actions of our deputies, Fort Pierce Police officers, Aviation Unit, and K-9 teams led to the rapid apprehension of every suspect involved in this incident.

“I commend every responder whose professionalism and determination helped bring this dangerous situation under control. Let this serve as a warning to violent offenders: when you commit a violent crime in our community, you will face a unified and relentless law enforcement response dedicated to protecting our residents and holding criminals accountable.”

“This joint operation is about more than enforcement, it’s about protecting our community through proactive policing and a unified commitment to public safety, said Fort Pierce Police Department Chief David Smith in the Facebook posting. “The actions of our Fort Pierce Police Department and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office detectives, patrol officers, and specialty units during this incident demonstrate exactly why these collaborative efforts are so important.

“Within minutes, law enforcement rendered aid to a wounded juvenile, established a coordinated response, and successfully located every suspect involved. We remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable, removing illegal firearms from our streets, and ensuring the residents of Fort Pierce can live, work, and raise their families in a safer community.”

Law enforcement officials remind residents that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges referenced are allegations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.