Madison arrests

MADISON, Fla. — A Madison County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher, an identified gang member and his girlfriend were arrested Tuesday, and the dispatcher is charged with allegedly trading sensitive information and equipment to the gang member for drugs.

On June 9, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force attempted a traffic stop on the primary suspect in a lengthy investigation into drug and gun distribution in Madison County, Fla.

Ladaris Rashod Edwards, 24, of Madison had been identified as a member of the “Bloods” gang by the Florida Department of Corrections, according to authorities. Task force investigators named him as the primary suspect in their investigation. He was also connected to direct threats to sheriff’s office personnel and their safety.

During a traffic stop, Edwards reportedly jumped from his vehicle and fled on foot, leaving behind a cell phone and “bath salts,” an illegal narcotic, according to Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators executed a search warrant on the cell phone and recovered evidence that revealed a Madison County sheriff’s dispatcher had communicated with Edwards on several occasions for the purpose of obtaining drugs. The dispatcher was not immediately arrested or fired.

“It was important to conceal that information until we could get beyond an overwhelming amount of evidence,” said Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart. “(Edwards) was not in custody. Had we moved too early, it would have compromised the investigation.”

MCSO continued to investigate the dispatcher which reportedly led to information gathered Tuesday that suggested Edwards was in Lowndes County. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office assisted in searching for Edwards and determined he was in neighboring Brooks County. He was located and taken into custody, according to MCSO.

Lowndes County investigators reportedly discovered Edwards was in possession of sensitive MCSO personnel information and two Madison County Emergency Medical Service radios with sheriff’s office frequencies.

Sheriff Stewart said the dispatcher provided information and equipment to Edwards and put the lives of deputies in jeopardy and that he “did not take that lightly.”

Stewart terminated the employment of dispatcher Wanda Cotrell Taylor, 25, of Madison Tuesday. She was arrested and is charged with three counts of unlawful use of police radios, grand theft, official misconduct, principle in the first degree (a Florida law) and obstruction, reports stated.

“Other than this, she was doing an excellent job,” said Stewart. “From what we can tell, this was the only person she was giving information to. It was an isolated case.”

During a search of Edwards’ Madison, Fla., residence, investigators reportedly found “bath salts,” firearms, ammunition and counterfeit currency.

Edwards is charged with possession of a controlled substance, resisting, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of counterfeit currency and unlawful use of police radios, reports stated.

Edward’s girlfriend was present at the home during the search and was taken into custody. Ashley Lynn Lamb, 24, of Madison, Fla., is charged with possession of counterfeit currency and resisting, reports stated.

Edwards has been arrested 23 times since 2007 on charges ranging from grand theft auto to aggravated battery to drug possession, according to reports.

“The courts are not doing their jobs,” said Stewart. “We are putting these people in jail on drug charges, and we aren’t making a dent. These guys are getting probation and are not worried about it, and we have to deal with them over and over again. Every time we do … they get smarter because they learn how to work the system. There is no fear and no deterrent.”

Stewart said investigators are continuing to gather evidence in the case. Additional charges are pending and more warrants for other individuals may be filed.