Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Narcotics Division

Antwan Jamal Williams (Arrested)
DOB: 09/04/1990
Address: 3966 13^th Avenue South. St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, one count of Trafficking in Fentanyl, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell (Marijuana), one count of Sale of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.

Ralph Robert Daniels (Arrested)
DOB: 08/04/1990
Address: 8400 49^th Street North, Apartment #814, Pinellas Park
Charges: One count of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell (Marijuana), one count of Possession of Marijuana more than 20 Grams, two counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and a warrant for Failure to Appear- Leaving Scene of Crash with Property Damage.

Diamond Jeanette Winston (Arrested)
DOB: 10/27/1990
Address: 8400 49^th Street North, Apartment #814, Pinellas Park
Charges: One count of Trafficking in Fentanyl.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division have arrested three individuals for trafficking in fentanyl following the execution of a search warrant at a St. Petersburg motel.

When:
The investigation began in October, 2017.

Detectives arrested the suspects at about 3:50 p.m. on October 24, 2017.

Where:
The incident occurred at the Candlelight Inn, 3405 34^th Street North, Room #106, St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
According to detectives, their investigation began in October 2017, when detectives received a tip that 27-year-old Antwan Williams was selling illegal drugs from a motel room at the Candlelight Inn, located at 3405 34^th Street North, in St. Petersburg.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Narcotics Division were able to confirm Williams was selling fentanyl and other illegal drugs from a room at the motel. Detectives also determined that 27-year-old Ralph Daniels was selling illegal drugs out of the same motel room.  

Detectives obtained a search warrant, and on October 24, 2017, detectives executed the search warrant at the Candlelight Inn.

During the execution of the search warrant, detectives found 63 grams of fentanyl, marijuana, pressed pills of an unidentified substance, various drug paraphernalia, a .40 caliber handgun and ammunition. Detectives also seized more than $19,000 in cash found inside the motel room.  

Detectives say 26-year-old Diamond Winston was also in the room when drug transactions were taking place at the motel. 

Detectives arrested Williams, Daniels and Winston. All three subjects were transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Williams was charged with one count of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, one count of Trafficking in Fentanyl, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Sale or Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell (Marijuana), one count of Sale of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.

Daniels was charged with one count of Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell (Marijuana), one count of Possession of Marijuana more than 20 Grams, two counts of Sale of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana), one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and a warrant for Failure to Appear- Leaving Scene of Crash with Property Damage. 

Winston was charged with one count of Trafficking in fentanyl.

Under a new law signed by Governor Rick Scott earlier this year, Williams, Daniels and Winston could face a minimum mandatory 25-year prison sentence if convicted of trafficking in fentanyl with 28 grams or more. This is the first fentanyl trafficking investigation for Pinellas detectives since the new law took effect.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 80- to 100-times stronger than morphine. The estimated lethal dose of fentanyl in humans is 2 milligrams. This dangerous substance has contributed to the increase in overdose related deaths in Pinellas County for the last two years.

This investigation is an example of the ongoing effort by the Sheriff’s Office to combat the opioid epidemic in Pinellas County.

The investigation continues. 

Antwan Williams booking photo

Ralph Daniels booking photo.

Diamond Winston booking.