(Sumter County, FL) Yesterday, 33-year-old Rodney Reshad Rose was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Methamphetamine within 1000ft of a Park, and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device.

Jurors deliberated for 75 minutes, after hearing the testimony of Detectives with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad (SIS), expert testimony from analysts with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and examining evidence presented during the trial, before rendering their verdict.

After the verdict was read, Judge Mary P. Hatcher remanded Rose pending sentencing.

“Trafficking dangerous narcotics ruins lives and incites violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who profit from addiction and poison our neighborhoods,” said Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney.

Back in April of 2023, members of the Special Investigations Squad, during their undercover street-level narcotics operation, revealed that the defendant was involved in the sale and delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine in Sumter County.

Officials conducted a controlled buy with Rose, who provided law enforcement with illicit narcotics. After collecting the crystalline substance, officers conducted a presumptive test, which yielded a positive result of methamphetamine with a total packed weight of 29.02 grams. The substance was then sent off to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Crime Laboratory for further confirmation.  

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, as well as Assistant State Attorneys Michael Kotsifakis and Elizabeth Hart.

Published on 04/11/2025.