TAVARES, Fla. — Four years after a massive multi-agency drug investigation dubbed “Operation Sneak-A-Peek” resulted in 27 people facing charges and the largest fentanyl haul in Lake County history, a jury found two defendants guilty Friday of drug trafficking and related charges.
Cliff Demond Johnson, 44, and Davonte Marques Heflin, 30, were found guilty of all charges against them following a trial that included testimony from numerous expert witnesses and phone records, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
Johnson was convicted of conspiracy to commit trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to commit trafficking in cocaine, manufacture of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine while in possession of a firearm, possession of a conveyance for sale or trafficking in narcotics, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, conspiracy to commit sale or delivery of oxycodone, conspiracy to commit sale or delivery of cocaine and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
He was also convicted of possession of alprazolam, possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of oxycodone, possession of hydrocodone, resisting law enforcement without violence and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Heflin was convicted of conspiracy to commit trafficking in fentanyl and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
“With this verdict, these two defendants are now held accountable for their roles in trafficking dangerous narcotics in our communities,” State Attorney Bill Gladson said. “Drug trafficking is not a victimless crime – it fuels addiction, destroys families, and puts countless lives at risk. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from the illegal drug trade and will work alongside our law enforcement partners to keep these dangerous substances out of our neighborhoods.”
Inside Lake first reported on Operation Sneak-A-Peek in June 2022, when Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell announced the four-month investigation had resulted in 27 people facing drug-related charges.
Johnson, whose street name is “Sneak,” was one of three high-level drug traffickers investigators identified as the main targets of the operation.
The investigation stretched beyond Lake County; fentanyl was transported from Mexico into California and Texas before making its way to Lake County by vehicle or through shipping methods, Grinnell said in 2022.
Investigators seized 3.1 pounds of fentanyl, more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of cocaine and numerous other drugs during the operation. Thirteen guns, including three that were stolen, $12,000 in cash, four vehicles and three pill presses were also recovered. At the time, authorities estimated the drugs had a wholesale street value of nearly $300,000.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, investigators were aware of ongoing narcotics sales in the Leesburg, Mount Dora and Fruitland Park areas between February and June 2022.
Wire-intercepted communications and phone records led Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit detectives to execute a search warrant at Johnson’s residence off Chelsea Avenue in Fruitland Park, where authorities said narcotics sales occurred.
Johnson and a juvenile were inside the home when detectives arrived. During the search, investigators found trafficking amounts of cocaine, multiple pounds of cannabis and large quantities of other narcotics, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Investigators later located Heflin, who authorities said had previously been under surveillance and was involved in facilitating narcotics sales. He was taken into custody for his role in the operation.
Assistant State Attorney Kristalle Smoller prosecuted the case. The investigation involved the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Clermont, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, Mount Dora and Eustis.
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