6 Arrested On Drug Charges In Undercover Polk County Sting

WINTER HAVEN, FL -- Six people have been charged with drug offenses and a seventh is being sought stemming from a sting operation in which an undercover Polk County narcotics officer purchased heroin and crack cocaine near The Church of God The Bibleway back in January.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office served search warrants Tuesday in the Inwood area of unincorporated Winter Haven. The arrests and search warrants are based on undercover purchases in January.

"We received numerous tips on drug activity occurring in this neighborhood, and our detectives did a wonderful job on this," explained Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "There are a lot of families in this area, as well as a church, and they don't want this going on around them."

The undercover detective made the first purchase on Jan. 16 in the area of Avenue M NW and 37th Street NW near Winter Haven.

"We encourage people to continue providing us with tips regarding illegal drug activity in their neighborhood, so we can do our part to maintain safe communities," said Judd.

Deputies also served search warrants at two trailers on Tuesday at 37th Street NW, Winter Haven and at 1118 40th St NW in Winter Haven.

Deputies recovered six grams of heroin and $4,855 in cash from the latter location.

The following people were arrested:

• Dominique Rashad Rogers, 24, was charged with possession of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church and related offenses.
• Parise Franco Henry, 38, was charged possession of heroin within 1,000 feet of a church and related offenses.
• Gwendolyn Denson, 59, was charged with possession of heroin with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a church and related offenses.
• Kelly Caroline Kent, 27, was charged with manufacturing cocaine and related offenses.
• Rogers Gibbons, 59, was charged with manufacturing cocaine and related offenses.
• Leonard Johnson, 66, was charged with possession of cocaine and related offenses.

In addition to the six already charged, sixty-five-year-old Donelle Turner "A.K.A Jim," has not yet been charged but is being sought for trafficking in heroin and related offenses.

Sheriff's deputies released a photo of Turner and requested the public's help in finding him.