OKEECHOBEE — During an investigation into suspected drug dealers, Brittney Drawdy and Wesley Williams, Drawdy’s roommate, Fred Henry Vangorder, 52, was arrested and charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoid.

On March 2, detectives from the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on the home located on Southeast 22nd Court. The warrant came about after a detective reportedly witnessed Drawdy and Williams walk in and out of the residence, and Williams was seen placing a clear bag of synthetic cannabinoids in the mailbox. Drawdy and Williams were arrested in the driveway and taken into custody.

The arrest report notes a cooler containing loose synthetic cannabinoids was found in Drawdy’s bedroom along with cash and a notebook containing names and dollar amounts. In addition, the task force found a digital scale, several Ziplock bags and cocaine residue.

In a second bedroom used by Vangorder, detectives reportedly found several bags of synthetic cannabinoids.

Drawdy was charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. On March 3, Drawdy was charged with introducing contraband into a detention facility after reportedly mailing a letter coated with synthetic cannabinoids to an inmate. In May 2020, she  entered a plea of no contest to charges of possession of synthetic cannabinoids and tampering with evidence. She was sentenced to nine months in county jail. In July 2019, she was charged with possession of synthetic cannabinoids, but the charge was later dropped.

Williams was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and his bond was set at $5,000. Williams was arrested in March 2020 and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. The intent to sell charge was later dropped and he entered a no contest plea on the other charges. He was sentenced to six months in the county jail. In August 2017, he was charged with the sale or delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell. He entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Because he was not home the day the search warrant was executed, Vangorder was not arrested until March 5. He was charged with possession, and his bond was set at $5,000. Vangorder’s record shows multiple convictions for grand theft, petit theft, scheming to defraud, dealing in stolen property and burglary dating back to the early ’90s.