Two Sarasota suspects among 4 charged with Oxycodone conspiracy

Two Sarasota suspects among 4 charged with Oxycodone conspiracy

TALLAHASSEE -- Two Sarasota residents were among four charged with trafficking in Oxycodone in Escambia, Hillsborough and Okaloosa counties, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi's Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Ethel Harvey, 58, and Brian Speight, 44, were arrested in connection with the case.

Paul Andre, 48, of Destin, and Robert Follman, 68, of Tampa, were also arrested, according to the release.

Bondi's office, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, announced the arrests Wednesday.

Some defendants reportedly sponsored patients, scheduling monthly doctor appointments and arranging and paying for transportation to and from doctor appointments. The defendants reportedly purchased the pain killers from the patients and illegally resold the pills.

Harvey, Speight, Andre and Follman each face one count of conspiracy to traffic in Oxycodone, according to the release. If convicted, each faces up to 30 years in prison with a 25-year minimum mandatory sentence.

This case was investigated by the FDLE and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. The Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution is prosecuting, according to the release.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Two Sarasota suspects among 4 charged with Oxycodone conspiracy ."