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Daytona Beach drug, money laundering ring busted

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A Daytona Beach optometrist was one of nine people arrested in an alleged major drug and money laundering operation Oct. 31.

Investigators said they were moving massive amounts of drugs and money and used a fake business to cover it up.

The investigation started in September and investigators said more people could be heading to jail.

Investigators said the criminal organization was massive and it took agents working with local, state and federal agencies to make the busts.

Officials said they are still investigating and plan on making more arrests.

The nine people face charges for their alleged roles in the alleged drug and money laundering operation.

Deputies say the group moved massive amounts of marijuana and cocaine, had at least one grow house and laundered the dirty money through a paint company that was a front.

Agents from the Volusia Bureau of Investigation were able to infiltrate the organization through surveillance and by setting up drug buys.

Investigators said 33-year-old Fred Hanson was the man at the top.

He owns a paint company called First Coast Decorating, which investigators said was an essential part of his operation.

Investigators said the group would give people money, who would in turn write checks to the paint shop as if they had received services.

Kevin Broome is one of those people who agents say was involved in the money laundering.

Broome is an eye doctor in Daytona Beach.

Investigators said busts make an impact, but their work is far from over.

"When we take one down, usually someone is ready to move in and fill that vacuum, they should know we'll be out for them next," Gary Davidson of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

The nine defendants and their charges and bond amounts from a release:

Ø Daniel S. Bernhardt, age 45, Daytona Beach. Conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to purchase cocaine, purchase of cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $65,000 bond.

Ø Kevin A. Broome, age 42, Daytona Beach. Money laundering, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $10,000 bond.

Ø Kim M. Emmanuel, age 36, Holly Hill. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, four counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of a conveyance for trafficking in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $1,170,000 bond.

Ø Joseph E. Fonseca, age 34, Holly Hill. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, five counts of trafficking in cocaine, sale or delivery of cocaine, possession of a conveyance for trafficking in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $865,000 bond.

Ø Fred P. "Bo" Hanson, age 33, Daytona Beach. Six counts of sale of cocaine, sale of marijuana, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, two counts of trafficking in cocaine, principal to sale and delivery of a MDMA, manufacture of marijuana, possession of a conveyance for trafficking in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $650,000 bond.

Ø Jason M. Liermann, age 37, Ormond Beach. Conspiracy to purchase cocaine, purchase of cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $60,000 bond.

Ø John O. Paone, age 42, New Smyrna Beach. Conspiracy to purchase MDMA, purchase of MDMA, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $60,000 bond.

Ø Rachel M. Ross, age 27, Daytona Beach. Principal to sale and delivery of cocaine, sale and delivery of MDMA. $50,000 bond.

Ø Keith C. Salvato, age 36, Daytona Beach. Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. $310,000 bond.