Bradenton couple charged with trafficking, selling heroin, fentanyl

A Bradenton couple faces charges of trafficking and selling heroin after a joint investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Deandrick Bacon, 38, and Rashanda Spates, 39, were identified during an investigation over the past month, according to a news release. Bacon remains in custody at the Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $300,000, and Spates was released on bonds totaling $30,000, jail records show.

Bacon is charged with trafficking heroin, selling heroin within a 1,000 feet of a place of worship and selling fentanyl within a 1,000 feet of a place of worship, according to arrest reports. Spates is charged with selling heroin within a 1,000 feet of a place of worship and selling fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a place of worship.

Bacon was taken in custody Friday morning by the sheriff’s office, which had obtained an arrest warrant for his arrest. Bacon was exiting the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 3611 First St. E., Bradenton, when arrested.

A K9 deputy found drugs inside Bacon’s 2009 gray Infinity. A knotted baggie with 46 caplets weighing about 4.7 grams tested positive for heroin, according to the sheriff’s office

During a search of the couple’s home in the 3100 block of 35th Avenue West in Bradenton, heroin and fentanyl were found. Two baggies weighing about 46.3 grams tested positive for heroin and another baggie containing a brown substance tested positive for fentanyl.

Investigators also seized $4,000 cash and a firearm.

Bacon was on probation for a previous federal narcotics conviction at the time of his arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Bradenton couple charged with trafficking, selling heroin, fentanyl."