'Want to be a gang member:' Brevard babysitter arrested with enough fentanyl to kill thousands

BREVARD COUNTY, Florida. – A Brevard County babysitter was arrested Tuesday afternoon after being found in possession of fentanyl, according to the sheriff's office.

In a statement, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the babysitter – 19-year-old Riley Thompson – was babysitting his apartment in Melbourne at the time.

“This little wannabe gang member and drug dealer was actually babysitting two small children when he was arrested with enough fentanyl in his possession to kill over 126,000 people! » said Ivey.

According to Ivey, investigators went to the home to serve a search warrant and found Thompson leaving the property.

As investigators tried to arrest Thompson, he fled on foot, throwing away several bags of drugs and a gun, Ivey said.

However, he was chased and attacked, and deputies eventually arrested him, the release said.

“Officers were preparing to execute a search warrant at the apartment when they learned Thompson had left two young children alone inside,” the release states. “As a result, officers quickly executed the search warrant and found not only the two young children, but also a significant amount of drugs that were located in close proximity to the children! »

In total, deputies said the following items were seized from Thompson's apartment:

• 253 grams of fentanyl

• 176.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine

• 100.9 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms

• 13.3 grams of suspected cocaine

• Several boxes of THC cartridges

• 3 firearms (including a sawed-off shotgun)

• $4,030 in US currency

As a result, Thompson faces 13 counts involving charges including drug trafficking, child neglect and resisting arrest. He is being held without bail.

Meanwhile, Ivey said the children had been returned to their families and the Ministry of Families and Children had been informed of the incident.

“Folks, this is one of those cases where you have to be sure to watch how this plays out in the criminal justice system because if he gets out with a BS bail amount or the charges are reduced, whatever something is seriously wrong in our society!” Ivey said. “You can bet I’m going to follow him because that’s enough!” »

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