Agents with the Tri-County Task Force arrested Marcellus Kentrell Matson, 38, and Spencer James Walker III, 39, on charges of drug trafficking and illegally selling guns. This case was investigated by Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Palatka Police Department.
The investigation began in September after agents received information about two Palatka residents with long criminal histories selling large quantities of drugs and firearms in Putnam County.
Investigators set up a controlled buy with Matson purchasing more than a pound each of cocaine and Phenethylamines (Molly).
Matson, 1502 Napoleon Street, Palatka, was arrested earlier today and booked into the Putnam County Jail. He was charged with trafficking in phenethylamines, 400 grams or more and maintaining a drug dwelling or conveyance and trafficking in cocaine, 400 grams or more and trafficking in cocaine, 200-400 grams.
Task force agents also planned controlled buys with Walker to purchase firearms, buying a handgun loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, another loaded handgun with the serial number removed and a loaded AR-15 style rifle.
Walker, 1506 Napoleon Street, Palatka, was arrested yesterday and booked into the Putnam County Jail. He is charged with three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sale or possession of a firearm with a serial number altered or removed.
Search warrants served yesterday in Palatka, at 1506 Napoleon Street and 815 N. 14th Street, yielded 19 firearms, a large cache of ammunition and 200 grams of Phenethylamines.
The Tri-County Task Force is an FDLE-led task force comprised of investigators from FDLE, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, Putnam, Flagler and St. Johns Sheriff’s Office and Palatka PD.
Investigators believe both men worked together in Putnam County to further their criminal activities. The Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case.
