FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Two men are behind bars, Saturday, after they were arrested on drug trafficking charges.
Lee County Deputies swarmed a home, at 3051 Calvin Boulevard, Friday; where they arrested 21-year-old Sam Young and 32-year-old Kenny Louis. The home could be seen with the front door torn off and trash all over the ground, after a search warrant was conducted.
This stemmed from a month long investigation, in which the men unknowingly sold undercover detectives cocaine and heroin at the house.
As a result of the Narcotics Search Warrant, detectives recovered $3,300.00 dollars in narcotics proceeds, a Kel-Tec 9mm firearm with an extended magazine, 18.2 grams of marijuana, 0.2 grams of cocaine, 0.6 grams of heroin, packaging paraphernalia, weights scales and several sets of two-way communication devices used by the suspects to conduct counter-surveillance on detectives. Additionally, detectives recovered electronics equipment suspected of being stolen from retail stores and residences.
The charges have even more weight, because the alleged drug dealers were operating near places frequented by children. The purchases were made within 200 feet of the First Haitian Baptist Church, and 1000 feet from Coronado High School and Fort Myers Middle School. Several other churches are within walking distance.
Youth Pastor Terry Clark, at Broadway Community Church nearby, called the incident heartbreaking. "Any time something like that happens in our community, it definitely has an impact; especially on our young people," he said. "That's exactly why we do what we do. That's exactly why we're here. We try to be a light to our community and prevent this kind of thing from happening."
The church serves as a second home to kids who all look up to Pastor Terry. He tells Fox 4 there's a drug epidemic affecting not only Fort Myers, but cities across the world. However, the church is dedicated to keeping young minds focused on God. He adds that anyone can turn their life around. "It's definitely heartbreaking when it's right around the corner and in your own block, but we're going to do our best just to pray for these people. We believe in forgiveness and second chances."
Sam Young was arrested for the following charges: Heroin sales and possession within 1000 feet of a place of worship, Cocaine sales and possession within 1000 feet of a place of worship, Possession of marijuana under 20 grams and Destruction of evidence.
Kenny Louis was arrested for the following charges: Heroin possession with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a place of worship, Cocaine possession within 1000 feet of a place of worship and Possession of a controlled substance.
This is not the first time LCSO's Narcotics-Field Support Unit has investigated the residence. Bryant Scharoun was arrested on drug trafficking charges in February 2017 at the same address and is associated with Young and Louis, according to LCSO detectives.
They added that their detectives are dedicated and will remain vigilant on eradicating narcotics from the streets of Lee County.
