Long term LCSO drug investigation ends in two arrests in Chiefland, FL
LCSO photos, top to bottom: Barber, Castellano and drug house.
On March 8, 2023, the Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) served a search warrant and arrested two people at a residence located at 2570 NW 73rd Terrace, in the Whitted Estates subdivision in south Chiefland, Florida. The arrest was the result of numerous citizen complaints and anonymous information that identified the home as a possible location being used to sell drugs.
Arrested was 27 year-old Jason D. Barber, who lives at the residence, and 32 year-old Victoria Castellano of Cedar Key, Florida
Detectives with the agency's Drug Task Force (DTF) and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) worked the case. They determined that Mr. Barber was selling methamphetamine from the home. They conducted a variety of covert operations over a period of time and developed probable cause for a search warrant of the home and a warrant for Barber’s arrest.
During the search, detectives located and seized moe than 23 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Barber was arrested at the home, charged with possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child neglect. His bond was set at $415,000.
Detectives also arrested Ms. Castellano at the home. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine, with her bond set at $15,000.
Mr. Barber, Ms. Castellano and Ms. Castellano’s young child were the only occupants of the residence at the time the search warrant was served.
"Citizen tips are essential in identifying locations, such as the one Barber used to sell drugs," said LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond. "The Whitted Estates subdivision is usually a quiet area. Any community can quickly become a dangerous location to live when drug activity moves in. Drug sales in your neighborhood invite the criminal element, which leads to an increase in theft, burglary and other crimes."
"I continue my pledge to combat drug activity in Levy County and urge everyone who sees suspicious activity to immediately report it," said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. "Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477."