SARASOTA, Fla. – An early morning search warrant execution ended with three men in custody and narcotics off the street in Sarasota.
The Sarasota Police Department executed a search warrant at a home on 15th Street in Sarasota on Wednesday, just after 7 a.m., according to investigators.
Police say this is the second time a search warrant has been executed at this home in the last several months. The last search warrant was conducted on April 26, 2022, resulting in arrests and seizure of a firearm and illegal narcotics, according to police.
Both search warrants were obtained by the Sarasota Police Department after complaints from residents in the area and numerous undercover drug buys over several weeks.
Three people were arrested on Wednesday and are facing numerous charges.
According to an affidavit, SWAT team members made multiple announcements for “any and all occupants to exit the residence” and two men did just that. Jason L. Austin, Jr., 26, and Rashad L. Fields, 30 both exited through the front door and were detained.
One suspect, still in the house, attempted to flee the area and was taken down in the backyard of a nearby home by multiple officers. Investigators say that man, 42-year-old Rodney L. Austin, continued to resist arrest.
Once inside the residence, investigators located 96.1 grams of Crack Cocaine, 465.1 grams of Marijuana, and $2,645 in U.S. Currency.
Rodney L. Austin, 42, of Sarasota, is a one-time convicted felon for Trafficking in Cocaine. Austin was arrested during a search warrant in April and was arrested again on Wednesday.
Rodney L. Austin, 42, is charged with:
Trafficking in Cocaine 28 grams – 200 grams
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell within 1000′ of a Park
- Possession of Structure for Trafficking in Controlled Substances
- Tampering with Evidence
- Resisting LEO without Violence
Jason L. Austin, Jr., 26, of Sarasota, was also arrested in April and was arrested again on Wednesday. He’s facing charges of:
Trafficking in Cocaine 28 grams – 200 grams
- Possession of Structure for Trafficking in Controlled Substances
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell within 1000′ of a Park
- Tampering with Evidence
- Violation of Probation
Rashad L. Fields, 30, of Sarasota, was arrested on Wednesday and is facing charges of:
- Trafficking in Cocaine 28 grams – 200 grams
- Possession of Structure for Trafficking in Controlled Substances
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell within 1000′ of a Park
- Tampering with Evidence
All three men were arrested and taken to the Sarasota County Jail. This case remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-263-6070.
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