Bradenton man charged with selling undercover detectives $2,850 worth of cocaine
A Bradenton man is facing multiple charges for selling and trafficking cocaine, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Chadwick Stephens, 33, was arrested Thursday and was being held at the Sarasota County jail as of Monday on bonds totaling $22,500.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office began investigating Stephens in November after learning that someone known on the street as “Grip” was selling large amounts of cocaine in the area of 17th Street and North Euclid Avenue in Sarasota, according to a probable cause affidavit. Detectives determined that Stephens was known to use the alias “Grip” using their own databases.
On Nov. 20, an undercover detective called Stephens and set up a deal to buy $150 worth of cocaine . The detective met Stephens at the Dollar General at the intersection of 17th Street and North Euclid Avenue, as agreed upon.
Stephens was seen arriving in his Ford Mustang, and sold the detective 3.26 grams of cocaine for $150, according to the affidavit. Stephens also told the detective he could sell him larger quantities of cocaine, quoting him $900 for an ounce.
On Nov. 26, the undercover detective again met Stephens at the Dollar General but this time was told to follow Stephens. They drove to the 2500 block of 23rd Street. Detectives said that Stephens went inside a home and then returned with 27.74 grams of cocaine for the agreed $900.
On Dec. 5, another undercover detective contacted Stephens to buy cocaine and met him at the same Dollar General. Stephens arrived as the passenger in a Pontiac. Stephens got into the undercover detective’s car and directed him to the same home on 23rd Street.
Stephens went inside the home and when he returned told the detective to drive to 22nd Street where he sold him 55.56 grams of cocaine for $1,800, according to the affidavit.
Stephens was charged with two counts of selling cocaine and one count of trafficking cocaine.
