'Operation True GRIT' nets 61 arrests, dozens of seized firearms

SANFORD, Fla. — A major operation targeting violent crime has resulted in 61 arrests and 56 recovered firearms, officials in Sanford said Thursday.

“Operation True GRIT” was a collaborative effort by the Sanford Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and federal and state prosecutors.

It was kicked off in February with a goal of getting violent criminals and guns off the streets, SPD Chief Cecil Smith said.

“If you commit a violent crime in our community, it’s going to be our purpose to prosecute you to the fullest, whether it’s on a state level or a federal level,” he said.

Authorities confiscated $27,000, along with 6.5 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in June at 13th Street and Sanford Avenue.

Of the 61 people arrested, 22 have already been sentenced and 39 still have cases pending.

Four of the cases were filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including that of Erik Williams, who is accused in the March 1 shooting death of a 6-year-old girl whom he was babysitting, officials said.

“Sanford is a safer place today because of the gun crimes that have been investigated and prosecuted by the Sanford Police Department, ATF and the sheriff’s department working together,” said Roger Handberg, chief assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Another notable arrest by investigators was that of Erick Williams. Eyewitness News covered the case in March when he was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. Investigators said it was his gun that A'letha Burke found under a couch and shot herself.

"Heart-wrenching to see that even young children are losing their lives senselessly with gun violence in our community. Something that we, as a community, need to address," authorities said.

The guns and ammunition are being examined to see if they can be connected to any unsolved homicides.

Joshua Hur, 63, was gunned down outside his convenience store at 4th and Poplar Streets just days before Christmas 2015. Surveillance video showed three people who police wanted to question about the shooting, but the case has never been solved.

Investigators won’t say if there’s been a match to any of the weapons connected to Hur’s killing.

Cox Media Group