CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. - The Citrus County Sheriff's Office has arrested a three-time convicted felon and three others while executing a narcotics search warrant.
In the early morning hours of March 8th, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) SWAT team and the Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) concluded an extensive narcotics investigation.
They executed a search warrant that resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Dennis Gene Himmel, 39-year-old Mary Elizabeth Wallace, 40-year-old Claire Marie Beck, and 46-year-old Jason Scott Flynn.
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CCSO's Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) received information that Himmel was once again selling illegal narcotics within Citrus County despite being released from prison in April of 2023 for similar charges.
"Through investigative means, detectives determined that Himmel was indeed dealing illicit narcotics, mainly fentanyl, and established probable cause to obtain warrants. A search warrant was obtained and executed at approximately 0540 hours on Friday at 304 South Pine Avenue in Inverness," said CCSO.
After giving extensive commands for all occupants to exit the residence with no compliance, SWAT team members breached the residence and made entry into the structure. After securing multiple people inside the residence, SWAT members came across a locked bedroom door.
Himmel was found inside the bedroom and initially refused all commands to exit the bedroom, but eventually complied. During his arrest, Himmel was on speakerphone with a female who was telling him not to speak to law enforcement.
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Following the SWAT team's assistance, TIU members commenced the search of the residence and located fentanyl, methamphetamine, alprazolam, and multiple items of paraphernalia indicating drug sales.
Prior to the execution of the search warrant, Detectives with the Tactical Impact Unit obtained three separate arrest warrants for Himmel for the following charges:
- Trafficking in Fentanyl and Sale of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Trafficking in Fentanyl and Sale of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Sale of Fentanyl and Sale of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
"Thanks to the efforts of the Tactical Impact Unit, and with the assistance of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, a habitual offender has been removed from our streets," said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Fentanyl is an extremely deadly synthetic opioid that kills over one-hundred thousand people every year nationwide. Drug dealers have no place in our community, especially habitual offenders like Himmel, who apparently will never learn. We will continue to fight illicit drug activity in our community at every given opportunity."
Himmel, a three-time convicted felon, was arrested for:
- Possession of Fentanyl with the Intent to Sell
- Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Sell
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (Alprazolam)
- Possession of Paraphernalia
- Warrant for Trafficking in Fentanyl and Sale of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Warrant for Trafficking in Fentanyl and sale of fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
- Warrant for Sale of Fentanyl and Sale of Fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school
He is being held at no bond per the bond schedule.
Wallace was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. She is being held on a total bond of $2,500 per the bond schedule.
Beck, a three-time convicted felon, was arrested for Possession of Paraphernalia. She is being held on a total bond of $500 per the bond schedule.
Flynn, a two-time convicted felon, was arrested for Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held on a total bond of $500 per the bond schedule.
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