Man charged with trafficking cocaine, hydromorphone

Photo provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An undercover drug bust netted more than 100 grams of cocaine, firearms and other narcotics from a man’s home, officials said.

Hershell Simmons
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Deputies targeted Hershell Simmons as part of the probe. During the investigation, Simmons sold oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, cocaine, marijuana and a firearm to an undercover detective, deputies said.

During one of the drug deals, Simmons had his 2-year-old daughter in the vehicle with him, reports show. Simmons carried a gun during the drug transactions and sometimes showed his firearm, deputies reported.

Deputies arrested Simmons, 28, of the 6400 block of 4th Place, on 30 charges, including trafficking hydromorphone, trafficking cocaine, sale of cocaine, sale of oxycodone and selling a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a store. Simmons was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail on $753,500 bond.

Indian River County deputies served a search warrant Thursday at Simmons’ home. The warrant was based off investigative work done by the sheriff’s special investigations unit.

The sheriff’s SWAT team was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, reports show. Simmons, his girlfriend and his daughter were home during the raid.

Inside the residence, deputies found cocaine, an AK-47 assault rifle, two 9 mm pistols including one that was stolen out of Brevard County, 420 hydromorphone pills, 344 grams of marijuana and $962 in cash, authorities said. Deputies also seized three vehicles during the raid, two of which contained a firearm and marijuana.

Simmons’ girlfriend told deputies she had no knowledge of the narcotics or firearms inside the home, reports show.

Deputies arrested Simmons and took him to the county jail. Simmons has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. April 12, court records show.

Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

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