Boat racer among 27 charged in major South Florida drug trafficking bust: Feds

More than two dozen suspects are facing charges in connection with a major federal drug trafficking bust in Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.

The 27 suspects include Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority employees, commercial charter boat operators, and a former City of Marathon employee, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida said in a news release Friday.

Ten of the suspects are charged with conspiring with each other to distribute 5 kilos or more of cocaine in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Another group of ten suspects are charged with conspiring with each other to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and the other seven are charged with conspiring with each other to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine.

Many of the suspects worked on the water and two sources close to the case told NBC6 at least some of the cocaine involved was found in the waters and mangroves they know well.

The cocaine then moved to the streets, in Florida City and Homestead, among other locations, with some even sold near playgrounds.

The FBI was assisted by Homestead Police and Miami-Dade Police in the investigation, which started in 2020 and involved wiretaps as well as electronic and human surveillance.

Various real estate properties, vessels, and vehicles are subject to criminal forfeiture as part of the indictment, authorities said.

Facing charges are: John Robert Strama Jr., 42, of Marathon, Rusty John Stiglitz, 39, of Marathon, Daniel Fernando Ramirez, 43, of Key West, Daniel Delgado, 38, of Miami Springs, Orlando Rene Gonzalez, 29, of Hialeah, Alfred Michael Nunez, 34, of Marathon, Elvis Lazaro Ruiz, 31, of Marathon, Pedro Luis Lugo Jr., 36, of Marathon, Nyran Antonio Ross, 32, of Marathon, Tyrell Lamar Williams, 36, of Marathon, Louis Charles Arvelo, 38, of Boca Raton, Andrew Hamill Hunt, 36, of Marathon, Kevin Andrew Yeider, 46, of Marathon, Jose Enrique Olivo Sanchez, 34, of Marathon, Kenyatta Scott Jr., 32, of Key West, Macarthur Junior Sheppard, 36, of Marathon, Alberto Ravelo Jr., 34, of Hialeah, Allison Annmarie Thomas, 29, of Marathon, Kizmet Yatz Qualls, 51, of Marathon, James Dean Chatelain, 34, of Marathon, Michael David Corbosiero, 68, of Boca Raton, Michael Joseph Rodamer, 63, of Key Colony Beach, Robert Roy Taute Jr., 50, of Marathon, Bairon Aceituno Machado, 34, formerly of Marathon, Lazaro Jesus Hernandez, 35, formerly of Marathon, Anthony Velez Llanes, 38, of Little Torch Key, and Tyler Jameson Macmillan, 33, of Big Pine Key.

Authorities started arresting the suspects on Thursday, and 22 of the 27 appeared in federal court on Friday, where they were allowed to post bonds of $250,000.

Records show Strama is a member of an offshore powerboat racing team, JS Racing, and a former racer in the American Power Boat Association.

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Strama, also known as Johnny Gold Chains, is alleged to be the head of the conspiracy. His 32-foot catamaran and $2.5 million Marathon house are among the assets the feds want to seize.

Authorities said Strama, a convicted felon, also faces additional federal charges for cocaine distribution, using a child under the age of 14 to engage in drug trafficking and avoid detection and apprehension, and possessing a firearm and ammunition after a previous felony conviction.

Stiglitz, Ramirez, Gonzalez, Nunez, Ross, Sheppard, and Chatelain face additional federal charges for cocaine distribution. Ross, Williams, Sheppard, and Scott also face additional federal charges for cocaine distribution within 1,000 feet of playgrounds in Florida City and Marathon.

The suspects accused of trafficking the higher amount of cocaine face up to life in prison if convicted. Others face up to 80 years, 40 years or 20 years in prison.

No one has entered a plea in the case but attorneys NBC6 spoke with said their clients maintain their innocence and look forward to seeing what evidence the government has that suggests otherwise.