On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) revealed significant developments from a recent large-scale investigation led by its Tactical Impact Unit (TIU). The operation, named “Flip the Script,” targeted narcotics trafficking and organized crime within Citrus County, leading to numerous arrests and the seizure of substantial quantities of narcotics and firearms.
The investigation commenced following credible information that Tri-County Medical Center, LLC, located at 7393 W Gulf to Lake Hwy in Crystal River, was operating illegally as a pain-management clinic. The facility distributed 39,905 controlled substance prescriptions, predominantly opioid-based, totaling at least 3,413,377 pills. Specifically, 21,856 prescriptions for Oxycodone and Methadone were identified, amounting to 2,420,949 pills. This quantity has the potential to cause fatal overdoses in approximately 1,210,000 individuals.
Ernest Bernard Scriven, 46, of Lecanto, the owner/manager of the medical center, orchestrated a scheme to issue illegal prescriptions for controlled substances. He, along with employee Kendra Lynn Johnson, 35, of Inverness, sent prescriptions to pharmacies for individuals who had not been examined by a doctor, receiving cash payments from buyers. Undercover operations confirmed these illicit practices.
On June 12, 2024, federal and state search warrants led to the arrest of Johnson and the seizure of a large volume of records at the medical center. Concurrently, a search at Scriven’s residence uncovered trafficking amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cannabis, prescription medications, firearms, and related documentation. Subsequent searches at storage units rented by Scriven revealed stolen vehicles, marijuana, a narcotic press, and further evidence of the medical facility’s illicit activities. Notably, 160 firearms were recovered, with 156 linked to a 2019 Hernando County burglary. David Alfonso Henriquez, 37, of Crystal River, was charged in connection with this burglary and other offenses.
Further investigation revealed that Shalena Tashaca Scriven, 44, of Crystal River, Ernest’s sister, received 3,300 pills of Oxycodone and Methadone without being a legitimate patient at the medical facility. She was arrested for Trafficking in Oxycodone and Conspiracy to Traffic in Oxycodone.
Arrests and charges include:
- Ernest Bernard Scriven: Racketeering, Trafficking in Oxycodone (3 counts), Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communication Device (2 counts), Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Distribute, Trafficking in Cannabis over 25 pounds (3 counts), Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon (Residential and 157 counts). Bond originally set at none.
- Kendra Lynn Johnson: Trafficking in Oxycodone (6 counts), Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communication Device (4 counts). Bond originally set at none.
- Shalena Tashaca Scriven: Trafficking in Oxycodone, Conspiracy to Traffic Oxycodone. Bond originally set at none.
- David Alfonso Henriquez: Trafficking in Cannabis, Grand Theft of a Firearm (156 counts). Bond originally set at none.
The CCSO is committed to continuing the investigation and dismantling criminal networks. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the CCSO at 352-249-2790.
The Tactical Impact Unit is dedicated to addressing street-level to high-level drug crimes, collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to combat narcotics-related criminal activities.
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