73.9 F
Winter Haven
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Home Blog Page 165

Brevard County-based Health First Health Plans Expands Three Decades of Experience and Service to Central Florida

0

Brevard County-based Health First Health Plans Expands Three Decades of Experience and Service to Central Florida

A New Low-Cost, Locally Serviced Health Plan Option Now Available  

When you need car repairs – you naturally want someone who understands your particular make and model. When you need a shoulder replacement – you look for an experienced surgeon who specializes in … well … shoulders

When you’re looking for a health plan, doesn’t it make sense to seek a company that’s locally-owned and operated, backed by decades of experience, staffed with your neighbors – customer service agents who live near you (not out of state or country) who will provide the very best knowledge of local medical providers and available services? 

Central Floridians have been asking for a better option, and now they have one.      

With more than 60,000 members and nearly three decades of local customer-centric experience, Brevard County-based Health First Health Plans will expand its low-cost health insurance services to five new Central Florida counties. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Health First Health Plans’ services, which will also include access to the AdventHealth network, will now be available in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, and Polk counties.  

Enrollment officially opened on Wednesday, Nov. 1, during the federal Marketplace Open Enrollment period. Plans will provide more low-cost Individual and Family Plan options for Central Floridians to stay healthy. These plans are available to those who need health insurance and do not have coverage available through an employer or government programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.  The Affordable Care Act makes income-based subsidies and reduced out-of-pocket expenses available to assist with the costs of comprehensive health coverage.   

Officially launched in 1996, Health First Health Plans, one of the very few not-for-profit health plans in the state of Florida, has provided a variety of high-value, low-cost services, including a network of more than 4,000 providers and dozens of acute care and office-based medical services in Brevard, Volusia, Indian River, Flagler, and Seminole counties. 

The expansion of services is geared toward meeting the needs of a rapidly growing region for families and individuals seeking high-quality, low-cost health plans and services …  all provided by fellow Central Floridians.  

“Health First Health Plans has proudly served more than 60,000 members – our friends, family members, neighbors, and associates across Central Florida and the Space Coast for more than 25 years. It’s no secret that the Central Florida region is one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations and, as our state grows, we too want to help meet the needs of our communities with services to help keep Florida healthy and well,” said Matt Gerrell, Health First Health Plans president.

Health First Health Plans president Matt Gerrell

“We’re excited to offer a variety of plans and options for cost-conscious individuals and growing families in these new communities, all tailored to meet their needs with a personal, convenient, and connected level of care and service. Perhaps most importantly, our valued members will be served by local, Central Florida-based customer service representatives and agents. From a customer satisfaction standpoint, it just makes sense that our Central Florida-based members will always be speaking with fellow community members when asking questions about benefits or requiring assistance with upcoming appointments or procedures,” Gerrell continued. 

Health First Health Plans are designed to manage healthcare needs with access, ease, and excellence with plans to fit every budget, wellness goal, and lifestyle. Depending on the chosen plan, physical and mental health benefits include fitness allowances, pediatric dental care, mental health treatment, and even virtual health and urgent care options.

Health First Health Plans is part of Health First, Florida’s only fully integrated delivery network system which consists of a medical group, four hospitals, and wellness services. 

To learn more about Health First Health Plans visit: hf.org/healthplans

51 Yr Old Bartow Woman Killed While Crossing S.R. 60 On A Bicycle

0

Early Wednesday morning a Chevy Trax, was traveling northbound on North Broadway Avenue and stopped for a red traffic signal at the intersection of SR-60. The vehicle then attempted a right turn onto SR-60 and collided with a bicyclist traveling westbound. The adult female bicyclist suffered fatal injuries and has been identified as 51 yr old Bartow woman. The driver, a 65-year-old Bartow man, was uninjured during the incident.

The FHP following Marsy’s Law does not release victims names.

Howdy, partner! Two hyper-local news outlets link up

0

By Kathy Leigh Berkowitz

This article is a collaborative effort between DailyRidge.com and D-R Media & Investments LLC

It might be unusual that two Polk County news outlets both have a D and an R at the head of their name.

What’s even more unusual is that The DailyRidge.com and D-R Media & Investments LLC are joining hands to share resources and extend their reach for the betterment of the community.

The DailyRidge.com, a locally owned and operated independent hyper local media company, will remain independent, as will D-R Media & Investments LLC, an extension of a family-owned newspaper business that owns the Winter Haven Sun, Polk News-Sun and Four Corners Sun in Polk County.

Understanding that the reporters for both news outlets were seeing each other at various community events and meetings on a regular basis, the companies suddenly realized that maybe they could create something sweet that would benefit the community they served: A partnership where both news outlets would remain independent, yet exchange stories and share advertising opportunities, creating a wide outreach for businesses and individuals who enjoy local news.

“We believe an informed citizenry is the best way to create sustainable great communities to live in. We admire the work the Daily Ridge does and are pleased to partner and expand the important civic information we all need,” said Dunn-Rankin.

“D-R Media & Investments LLC exists to help make the communities we serve a better place through quality journalism, helping locally owned businesses grow, events, and early-stage investments,” said owner David Dunn-Rankin.

D-R Media is owned by a fifth-generation Florida family. Their papers stretch from Lake Placid in the South and go north up US 27 to Wildwood covering America’s best small towns and include papers in Polk (Lakeland, Winter Haven, Four Corners as well as papers in Sumter, Lake and Highland counties.

DailyRidge.com is a hyper local media company focused on educating citizens by providing “Fast, Factual, and Free non-partisan news,” said Carl Fish, co-owner of the company.

“We try and showcase stories about citizens, leaders, and laws or regulations that affect our community,” Fish says.

The Daily Ridge originated in December of 2006 when two friends, Kip Kirchberg and Carl Fish, who felt the Polk County Ridge Area had a serious lack of factual unbiased news, joined hands to launch their online news outlet The Daily Ridge. 

“Our contributors are everyday citizens, and our writers are from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Kip Kirchberg.

“As Polk County is larger in population than several entire states, we see a continuing need for more local news,” Kirchbergsaid. 

Kip Kirchberg, Founding Partner of Daily Ridge, said “The Daily Ridge family is thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with D-R Media that is likely to revolutionize the way users consume news and information. D-R Media has a strong foothold in the printed news and information industry who has a great reputation for delivering quality journalism. The Daily Ridge is a smaller yet very successful organization with over 17 years knowledge of delivering digital hyper local news, entertainment, and community information. This Partnership will allow us both to reach a wider audience by leveraging more distribution options, while expanding coverage to provide readers more local news.”

Lake Alfred Man, 39, Killed In Motorcycle Crash On MLK Blvd. In Winter Haven Identified

A Lake Alfred man died Tuesday morning, October 31, 2023, after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash in Winter Haven.

39-year old Adam Walling was transported to a local hospital for injuries that included head trauma, but he was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving.

The crash occurred at about 9:17 am; deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and members from Winter Haven Fire Department responded to the crash on Martin Luther King Boulevard NE at Jewett Street.

According to preliminary findings of the PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations, Mr. Walling was driving a white 2007 Honda motorcycle east on Martin Luther King Boulevard, while a white 2005 Ford Expedition was heading west.

The Ford Expedition began making a left turn (south) to Jewett Street to enter the Buckeye Ridge neighborhood, and in doing so, crossed in front of Mr. Walling’s motorcycle which had the right-of-way.

PCSO detectives believe Mr. Walling laid his motorcycle down and became separated from the bike.

Mr. Wolling slid under the front part of the Ford Expedition. He was not wearing a helmet.

Neither the driver, nor the passenger in the Ford Expedition were injured in the crash.

Martin Luther King Boulevard was reopened for traffic after approximately three hours, but the investigation remains ongoing.

Welcome, World Travelers! Check Out These 5 Underrated Scary Movies for Halloween

0

by James Coulter

Halloween is around the corner. It’s the ideal time to watch scary movies, whether you prefer classic horror flicks like Frankenstein or Dracula, slasher flicks like Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th, or captured footage films like Paranormal Activity or The Blair Witch Project.

However, as much as we love the same-old Halloween favorites, sometimes you want to watch something with new frights. And what better way to do so than uncovering some underrated scary movies from the past? Here are a few underrated cult classics I highly recommend watching this Halloween:

#1: House (1977)

Toho Studios | Not Rated (contains Blood, Gore, and Frightening & Intense Scenes)

Where to Watch: HBO Max (Streaming), Amazon Prime (Streaming), Hulu (Streaming), Sling TV (Streaming), Vudu (Rent), Apple TV (Rent)

A young teenage girl and her friends visit her estranged aunt for summer vacation. However, upon their arrival, strange things start occurring with each of them disappearing one by one. The young girl is now forced to uncover the mystery of the old house and discover why her estranged aunt was estranged to begin with. Can she and her friends survive their stay at the haunted house, all while avoiding ghost cats, man-eating pianos, and other bloody horrors?

Produced by Toho Studios of Godzilla fame, and directed by a director who previously worked on television commercials, this Japanese cult classic shifts tones between being a whimsical teen comedy and a chilling horror movie. The jarring tonal shifts create an overall haunting, blood-chilling experience with vivid visuals and splendid special effects. Each of the girls meets a bloody, gory, and creatively fitting demise that is sure to remain lingering in the deep recesses of your subconscious.

#2: The Company of Wolves (1984)

The Cannon Group | R (for Sex & Nudity, Blood & Gore, and Frightening & Intense Scenes)

Where to Watch: YouTube (Streaming), Amazon Prime (Streaming), AMC Plus (Streaming), fuboTV (Streaming), Roku Channel (Streaming)

A young girl on the cusp of adolescence falls into a fever-induced dream where she imagines herself as Red Riding Hood. Despite her deep woodland village being ransacked by wolf attacks, one of which took the life of her older sister, she nevertheless ventures into the woods to visit her grandmother. Played by the late Angela Lansbury, her granny delights her with old folk stories about wolves, through which the young girl not only learns about the strange goings-on, but also her own budding womanhood.

This movie is best described as Labyrinth meets Twilight. Framed as a story taking place within a young girl’s dream, the movie exudes an overall surreal dream-like feel, where things don’t always appear as they seem, and where events play fast and loose with the timeline of the classic setting. With equal parts blood and gore, and equal parts romance and sexual tension, this story serves as a vivid exploration of a young girl’s subconscious as she develops her own sexual awakening as a young woman. Fans of werewolves and supernatural romance are encouraged to give this film a watch.

#3: Viy (1967)

Artistic Association | Not Rated (contains Frightening & Intense Scenes)

Where to Watch: Tubi (Streaming), Amazon Prime (Streaming), Roku Channel (Streaming), Google Play (Rent)

Based on a classic Russian folktale, this Russian movie tells the story of a seminary student who ends up killing a witch who tried to kidnap and torment him. He is promptly summoned by a wealthy gentleman who wants him to conduct the last rites over his late daughter. Plot twist: she turns out to be the witch! Now the young man must survive three nights in an old church praying over her body, which comes to life every night to enact her revenge on him.

At little over an hour long, this short film is quite short compared to other horror movies. However, what little run time it has is packed with plenty of scary and spooky moments with special effects that are quite impressive for the 1960s Soviet Union. Each night the dead witch torments the young priest in new and blood-chilling ways, with him narrowly avoiding his demise thanks to his protective circle. The third and final night serves as the epic finale with horrors so horrific, that it’s best described as a living nightmare come to life.

#4: Return to Oz (1985)

Walt Disney Pictures | PG (for Frightening & Intense Scenes)

Where to Watch: Disney Plus (Streaming), Amazon Prime, (Rent) Apple TV (Rent), Vudu (Rent)

Do you fondly remember the classic 1939 Wizard of Oz? Well, this movie is absolutely nothing like it!

Set shortly after the events of the original movie, Dorothy is sent to a sanitarium for her “delusions” about Oz. She narrowly escapes receiving shock treatment and is swept away by a thunderstorm back to Oz. However, the land is nothing as she remembers from her first visit. The Yellow Brick Road has turned to rubble, the Emerald City is in ruins, and her old friends have gone missing. She must make new friends and avoid new enemies to uncover the mystery behind what happened to the once-enchanted land of Oz.

Again, this movie is nothing like the colorful, whimsical 1939 musical. While technically not a horror movie, Return to Oz is a dark, twisted take on the Oz stories (as adapted by the Walt Disney Company, of all places) with plenty of scares to frighten viewers both old and young. Many of its biggest scares come from its villains, including the demented Wheelers, the head-stealing witch Mombi, and the eerily Claymation-animated Gnome King and his followers.

#5: The Halloween Tree (1993)

Hanna-Barbera | Not Rated

Where to Watch: YouTube (Rent), Google Play (Rent), Apple TV (Rent), Amazon Prime (Rent)

Four young children prepare to go trick-or-treating, only to discover that their other friend has been sent to the hospital for appendicitis. Now they must go on a time-traveling adventure to track down his lingering spirit and save it from the villainous Moundshroud, who seeks to claim it for his own. All the while, the children learn about the meaning behind their costumes by visiting the mummies of Ancient Egypt, the druid witches of pre-Christian England, and the stone gargoyles of Notre Dame.

Based on a story by Ray Bradbury, this animated special by Hanna Barbara has the late author himself deliver narration with iconic lines lifted straight from the pages of his book. The villain of dubious motivation, Mr. Mountshroud, is played by the late Lenord Nimoy, who delivers a classic and haunting performance. This special is equal parts entertaining and educational, as it touches upon the origins of Halloween and its many iconic monsters. A delightful watch to introduce to young viewers who are not ready for the bigger scares in other horror movies.

Aguilar Boxing CLUB Receives AED from Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation

0

by James Coulter

Zee Zemora was watching his son performing intensive training at a local gym when his son suffered cardiac arrest. The good news is that the young boy was rushed to the hospital where he eventually recovered. The bad news is that his situation would have been better handled if the gym had an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site.

Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar situation like his son, Zemora reached out to Melanie Brown, founder of Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, and requested an AED for another gym, Aguilar Boxing CLUB in Wahneta.

Melanie knew one of the gym’s coaches, Anthony Bearden, ever since he was a young man. She used to cut his hair and that of his grandfather. So, being close friends with Zamora, Melanie was pleased as punch to happily donate an AED to the facility.

“It makes me feel special she chose our establishment [to] put one of her AEDs in,” he said. “I think it is awesome what Melanie is doing. She is a beautiful woman inside and out, she does a lot for the community, and I think what she is doing is amazing.”

With the previous incident involving cardiac arrest at their gym, an AED will prove quite beneficial in case of future emergencies and will ensure that no one else has to suffer a similar problem, Bearden said.

“I think it’s a good thing to have an AED,” Bearden said. “I thank God that he [the young boy] is still with us today. I think if [the AED] would have been here, things would have gone a little bit smoother for him. So, I think it is awesome, a really good thing to have, especially in the sports world.”

Melanie and her team arrived at Aguilar Boxing CLUB in Wahneta to donate and install the AED and offer a small presentation on how to use the device and explain her organization.

Miguel Aguilar, another coach and the gym owner, appreciated the donation. With the type of workouts often performed at his gym, such a device will prove useful in case another cardiac arrest or other emergency occurs.

“It feels great to have this AED donated to our facility,” she said. “The workouts you do in here are intense, so you never know what is going to happen. You just never know.”

Melanie Brown started her non-profit organization nearly three years ago following the untimely passing of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper, from cardiac arrest. Since its founding, she has raised proceeds to donate nearly two dozen AEDs to local businesses and establishments.

This latest AED was her 23rd donation. She had donated and installed AEDs at other locations across the county, including Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Frank’s, and the Caribbean Bay.

Next month, she will be traveling to Clearwater Arena to donate an AED and meet up with two other AED companies, Rescue Seven from Canada and Cora AED from Nashville, Tenn.

She has high expectations for the future, as she plans on raising more money, donating nearly two to three AEDs per month, and launching a new mobile app to help users locate the nearest AED.

“I am privileged and honored to install this AED here [at Aguilar Boxing CLUB] because I see how much of a hard worker these young men do,” she said. “You never know when you can get into cardiac arrest. So, I am glad to do something to save a life in case of a tragedy.”

For more information about Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper

CPS Investment Advisors Senior Portfolio Analyst Wins Mr. Central Florida 2023

0

by James Coulter

K.C. Wilson knows how to win big. Not only does he land big deals making trades as a senior portfolio analyst, but he also lands big jumps as a record-holding slalom skier, what with him being a Jr. U.S. National Slalom Record holder, according to his bio on CPS Investment Advisors website.

So, it only makes sense that this winning analyst and slalom skier managed to win the prestigious title of Mr. Central Florida, the annual fundraiser for the Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center (CFSHC). K.C. Wilson won the title with more than 45,500 votes at the ceremony at Bonnet Springs Park Event Center on Saturday evening.

His company has had a long partnership with the Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center. Inspired by his personal experiences concerning hearing and speech issues, Wilson was inspired to compete in this year’s competition by raising money for the annual fundraiser.

“It feels good,” he said. “We have seen the impact of the center in the community. It feels good with a lot of supporters. We know what the center is doing…Seeing everyone else participate motivates and inspires me to make an impact on the community as well.”

The 11th Annual Mr. Central Florida was hosted this year by Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center (CFSHC), a local non-profit treatment facility dedicated to assisting patients with their speech, language, and hearing disorders.

The fundraising event involves several volunteers raising money on their behalf throughout the year. The participant who raises the most money is named Mr. Central Florida.

President Roxann Bonta, CFSHC President/CEO, commended the crowd that evening for their donations, which allows her organization to assist people young and old overcome their speech and hearing problems.

“I think you all know why we are here,” she said. “We are here to celebrate. You allow us to celebrate. We do so much, but we could not do it without you…the people who do the hard work, day in and day out. We put on services for language, speech, and hearing. A special thank you to everyone who is here supporting this cause. We could not do it without you. You make the center work.”

This year’s event was hosted at Bonnet Springs Park Event Center at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. Throughout the evening, attendees could wine, dine, listen to live music, and place bids on silent auction items.

For more than 60 years, the Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center has served the Greater Lakeland community by assisting people with their speech and hearing problems. According to their website, last year alone, they provided their patients with more than 2,000 hearing services and more than 600 speech and language services.

One such notable patient was a young boy named Ayden, whose story was shared in that evening’s event program. When his mother discovered that her son was not properly developing his language skills as an infant, she took him to the center to receive evaluation and therapy.

“In six months, Ayden was showing play skills, following simple directions, copying words, gesturing and vocalizing for objects,” the program read. “Today, Ayden understands language within normal limits…His progress and success are what every Speech/Language Pathologist dreams of for their patients.”

Brooks Law Group Donating 350 Thanksgiving Turkeys

0

Local Law Firm Holding 11th Annual Event for Families in Need

 

WINTER HAVEN, FL, October 31, 2023 —Brooks Law Group invites the community to their 11th annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 18, at 9:30 AM, where they will be donating 350 Thanksgiving turkeys and dinner items to families who cannot afford one. Turkeys will be available at the firm’s office at 123 First Street North, Winter Haven. The firm recommends arriving at 8:30 AM to secure a spot in line, as the turkeys are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

“This event is one that both our team and the community looks forward to all year long,” says Brooks Law Group’s founder and managing partner Steve Brooks. “It takes a huge effort to put this on, but it’s worth it to give back and make sure that every family has a great Thanksgiving.”

Previous Turkey Giveaway

 

Brooks Law Group will again be joined by Restaurants Against Hunger and Freedom Tour, who graciously donate the side items for a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Local radio station 97.5 WPCV will return to the event for a live broadcast.

 

Brooks Law Group kindly asks that those who can afford a turkey please let those in need have the donated turkeys. Donations will be limited to one per household. During the giveaway, Brooks Law Group staff will be available to speak with those in line.

Previous Brooks Law Group Turkey Giveaway

Brooks Law Group is a personal injury, auto accident, motorcycle accident and wrongful death law firm, serving individuals across the state of Florida with offices in Winter Haven, Tampa, Auburndale, and Lakeland. The firm has been practicing law and serving people for more than 30 years. For more information visit www.brookslawgroup.com or call 1-800-LAW-3030.

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash On MLK Blvd At Jewett St. In Winter Haven

0

At approximately 9:18am early Tuesday morning a 911 call came in regarding an accident on MLK Blvd. at intersection of Jewett Street. The accident occurred between a motorcycle and a white Ford Expedition.

Winter Haven Fire Department

A witness went to the man’s aid. According to the witness she prayed with the man and did what she could to help him. Sadly the Polk County Sheriff’s Office advised the motorcyclist didn’t survive.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Winter Haven Fire Department & Polk County Fire Rescue all responded to the scene.

The roadway was shut down for hours, but has now been reopened. More details coming soon.

Polk County Fire Rescue

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Assist Federal Investigation That Seizes 10 Kilograms Of Fentanyl- Enough Overdose 5 Million People

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Three Mexican men living in Hillsborough County—two of them in the United States illegally—have been arrested and charged with trafficking in Fentanyl during a multi-agency investigation. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated during the investigation resulting in the three arrests and the seizure of 10 kilograms of Fentanyl. The street value of the 10 kilos of fentanyl is approximately $2,500,000.

“10 Kilograms is enough Fentanyl to kill 5 million people if taken in overdose amounts. These drugs are extremely dangerous, and the people bringing them across an unsecure border are evil. Of the three men arrested during this investigation, two are in the country illegally and the Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficking organization is the source of supply for this poison. I am very thankful for our local, state, and national law enforcement partners, including state prosecutors Mr. Haas and Ms. Lopez, for working together to make this a successful investigation.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff

Fentanyl Seized In Polk County Investigation

“Due to the continued refusal of the Biden Administration to address the border crisis he created, states like Florida are forced to pick up the slack,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The fentanyl taken off our streets today is enough to kill 5 million Floridians, and is yet another demonstration of how the federal government has failed to protect U.S. citizens. Thank you to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and all the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe.”

“Enough fentanyl to kill 5 million Floridians made its way from Mexico, across our wide-open border and into our state, but thanks to the great police work by Sheriff Judd and FDLE it is now off our streets—along with the illegal immigrants who were trafficking it. This major drug bust was bolstered by the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication in Florida Program, which we supported during this year’s legislative session. Further proof that Florida continues to lead even while the federal government refuses to do its job, secure the border and keep these deadly substances from killing Americans.” Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General.

The investigation revealed the seized Fentanyl was illegally brought into the United States from the Sinaloa Mexico region by the Sinaloa Cartel drug trafficking organization to Compton California, to Riverview Florida, and then to Polk County. Those agencies participating in the investigation are: Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Florida Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General Ashley Moody; Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Florida Highway Patrol; United States Customs and Border Protection; United States Department of Homeland Security; 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Brian Haas, State Attorney; and 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Susan S. Lopez, State Attorney.

Arrested during the investigation are:

Juan Manuel Gutierrez Medina; DOB 9/29/1968; 12008 Anderson Drive, Riverview, FL. Charges: trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams. He has a prior arrest in California (Los Angeles) in 2002 for DUI. He is from Mexico and is in the United States illegally. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on Gutierrez-Medina. 

Ruperto Rocha, DOB 9/21/1958; 3417 Ridge Road, Wimauma, FL.Charges: trafficking fentanyl over 28 Grams. His criminal history includes a criminal traffic charge in 1998 in Hardee County; transporting Illegal Aliens, Del Rio, Texas, 1981 (convicted, 3 month sentence); Home Invasion / Armed Violence / AGG Battery, 1989, Belvidere, Illinois; and aggravated battery, Lockport Correctional, Illinois, 1990 (convicted 5 year sentence). Rocha has an unknown resident alien status.

Juan Manuel Contreras Gutierrez; DOB 09/06/1998; 12008 Anderson Drive, Riverview, FL; Charges: trafficking fentanyl over 28 Grams. Contreras Gutierrez’ criminal history includes possession of drugs w/o a prescription, 2021, Marion County; robbery-1st degree & grand theft (convicted, 5 years’ probation), 2018, Los Angeles, California. Contreras Gutierrez is in the United States illegally—he was ordered removed by an immigration judge on 11/19/2020 and deported back to Mexico on 11/23/2020. On 11/28/2020 he was encountered again trying to illegally enter the United States, he was again sent back to Mexico. Contreras Gutierrez re-entered the United States illegally at an unknown time after deportation.

HIDTA Task Force / multi-agency drug trafficking organization investigation 

The investigation was initiated in the month of September, with Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives acting in an undercover capacity working with Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agents. Detectives made contact with a suspected drug trafficker, Juan Manuel Gutierrez Medina, who resides in Riverview, FL. Detectives arranged to purchase large quantities of Fentanyl with Medina. During the investigation, detectives completed drug transactions with Medina, Ruperto Rocha, and Juan Gutierrez Contreras.

At one point during the investigation, Gutierrez Medina was tracked travelling by vehicle to Compton California, and then back to Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol, in concert with the investigation, arrested him in Suwannee County on October 18, 2023, on his way back to central Florida. Detectives met with Ruperto in Bartow on October 12, and he was arrested without incident for trafficking fentanyl. On October 20, detectives met Juan Gutierrez Contreras in Riverview where he delivered 6 kilograms of Fentanyl to undercover detectives. On October 25 detectives arranged to meet again with Gutierrez Contreras in the Riverview area. Working with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, he was arrested and charged with trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams. An ICE hold has been placed on him due to his illegal status. 

The investigation has been conducted with the assistance of the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E) Florida Program managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established state funding for the S.A.F.E program to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking. The grant provides financial support and assistance for approved fentanyl-related investigative costs, such as overtime, travel, investigative supplies and equipment, and training. 

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glasssaid, “These arrests are the first in Florida using grant money from the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program. The grant provides money for local law enforcement agencies in fentanyl and drug trafficking investigations. Never has there been a time when shutting down a drug trafficking organization has been more important. While these cases are usually very expensive to investigate, this grant means money won’t be a barrier. Thank you to Governor Ron DeSantis and our lawmakers for empowering law enforcement to work more drug investigations making Florida safer by taking fentanyl and these dangerous drug traffickers off our streets.”