It’s not often that a drug raid sparks an impromptu community celebration, but that’s precisely what happened in the late afternoon air of West Minnesota Avenue in DeLand Feb. 12.
As DeLand Police Department officers first announced over loudspeaker that they would forcibly enter 326 W. Minnesota Ave., and then knocked the door in, word began to spread among the residents.
Along the street, lined with live oaks and sporting some of the oldest and most ornate homes in the city — the home at 326 W. Minnesota Ave. is circa 1905 — a partylike atmosphere formed. Longtime residents and young families who have moved into the area watched, sitting on their neighbors porches for better views, as officers led out a motley crew of characters.
Those arrested include the 49-year-old relative of the property owners, Myron Feasel, whose various charges over the years include possession, retail theft, and carrying a concealed weapon. Four others were also charged with various crimes listed at the end of this article.
Residents had complained for years.
The investigation began based on “numerous complaints from this community, complaining about the amount of traffic being seen at this house,” DeLand Police Department Capt. Prurince Dice said on the scene that night. “Out of all the overwhelming amount of complaints we received from the residents, we spearheaded an investigation, which led to the search of this residence today.”
The Police Department had also received a specific tip that large amounts of methamphetamine were being distributed.
A strange twist
Wrapped up in the nearly eight-month investigation of the home by the police was a strange plot twist: The victim in a Feb. 11 stabbing, an incident that received outsized media attention because a double-murder suspect, Scott Mitchell, was on the loose (Mitchell was captured Feb. 12) and because the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter airlifted the victim near a busy North DeLand intersection, appears to have left the hospital only to be surveilled by police the next day, Feb. 12. The stabbing victim was in a vehicle that stopped by the home on West Minnesota Avenue.
Officers intercepted the vehicle and discovered methamphetamine in a sunglasses case, arresting three, including the victim of the stabbing, Cody Komrowski, who then was arrested for possession of a controlled substance prior to the raid taking place.
Following that stop, the DPD was able to obtain the search warrant for the home.
After the raid
The FBI, West Volusia Narcotics Task Force, DPD’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Safe Street Task Force and DPD’s Uniformed Patrol Division were all involved in the investigation and raid.
“Not only do we have drug dealers off the street, but I’m excited about the overwhelming support that we got from the community,” Dice said at the Feb. 13 press conference. “Even during the raid, we had residents coming up … thanking us for being there, thanking us for doing the job that we did, and if we can continue to do that, that’s what makes me happy. That’s what public safety is about and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”
Charges from the Feb. 11 stabbing:
Joseph Varela, 30, is charged with attempted felony murder and illegal possession of a shopping cart. He is held with no bond.
According to the DPD, the following individuals were charged from the Feb. 12 raid:
Myron Feasel, 49, is charged with trafficking in fentanyl, possession of amphetamine with intent to sell, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and obstruction of an officer without violence. He is held on no bond.
Deanne Tucker, 54, is charged with possession of paraphernalia, obstruction of an officer without violence and violation of probation, and is held on no bond.
David Hayes, 42, is charged with obstruction of an officer without violence; his bond was set at $500.
Tonia Diaz, 45, is charged with obstruction of an officer without violence, and is held on no bond.
Travis Martin, is charged with obstruction of an officer without violence (this case was referred to the State Attorney’s Office).
Charges from the Feb. 12 traffic stop initiated by police:
William Tooley, 40, is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Johnathan Micheo, 45, is charged with possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a park and possession of drug paraphernalia and is held on no bond.
Cody Komroski, 34, is charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription with bond set at $2,500.
CAN’T GET THESE ON EBAY — Items recovered from 326. W. Minnesota Ave. include more than a half-dozen firearms and a grabbag of illegal drugs including fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamine.
More charges may be pending in the narcotics raid as the investigation continues.
Original story: Around 4:30 p.m. Feb. 12, the DeLand Police Department was at the scene of 326 W. Minnesota Ave. serving a search warrant in reference to complaints about narcotics, according to video footage provided by a nearby resident. Four individuals were taken into custody.
The investigation began based on “numerous complaints from this community, complaining about the amount of traffic being seen at this house,” DeLand Police Department Capt. Prurince Dice said. “Out of all the overwhelming amount of complaints we received from the residents, we spearheaded an investigation, which led to the search of this residence today.”
“We’ll be here for quite a while,” Dice added.
Residents reported that officials wearing FBI jackets were also on the scene.
Sara Ward contributed to reporting. This story will be updated.
Hell yeah! Way to go DPD!
That house is on our daily walk and we’ve been wondering what was going on. Makes sense now.
This is inappropriate. This is a real family that this affects. No need for photos and videos.
I understand your point. But also, any story will impact a real family. Our job is to try to balance this, the public interest, and reach out to people involved. Remembering always that people aren’t mugshots, they are people.