OKEECHOBEE -- On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at approximately 1630 hours, members of the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 3311 SE 33RD Terrace, within Okeechobee County with the assistance of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (D.E.A.), Port St. Lucie Resident Office.  

Arrested at his residence was  Robert L. Butterworth for the sale of Fentanyl and possession of Fentanyl with intent to sell, which led to the above reference narcotics search warrant.

During the execution of the search warrant, members of the Narcotics Task Force located multiple live rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia (digital scales, syringes, empty capsules, and a metal spoon with suspected narcotic residue) inside of the above residence.  

During surveillance of Butterworth, the Narcotics Task Force learned that Butterworth was expecting a delivery of Fentanyl. The Narcotics Task Force then conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by  Michelle M. Perez and  Orlando Perez.

During a search of their vehicle, law enforcement located approximately 5.77 grams of suspected Fentanyl.  

During a search of Orlando, a small cut plastic drinking straw with white powder residue inside the straw was found, along with two small unmarked pills. The drinking straw later field-tested positive for Fentanyl.  

Michelle advised that she was transporting the package of Fentanyl to Butterworth’s residence because he did not want to transport it in his vehicle.

After being transported to the Okeechobee County Jail, Okeechobee City Police Department Officer B. Draipal located a loose plastic baggie, which was identical to the baggies Michelle claimed ownership of, in the back seat of her patrol car. This baggie also field-tested positive for Fentanyl.  

Michelle was charged with trafficking in Fentanyl and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail for booking, where her bond was set at $100,000.

Orlando was arrested and charged with possession of Fentanyl and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Orlando was transported to the Okeechobee County Jail, where his bond was set at $6,000.

Butterworth was ultimately arrested and being held on bond on a charge of trafficking in Fentanyl.

These arrests are a continuing collaboration between the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force and the D.E.A., ensuring that these dealers get investigated, arrested, and convicted, keeping our community safe.

These investigations and partnerships continue and stand as a message that if you deal with illicit narcotics in Okeechobee County, this will be the result.