Two Ocala men were arrested recently after being caught completing a drug deal in a Circle K parking lot in Silver Springs.
Cedric Taima Simmons, 46, of 5182 E. Silver Springs Blvd., was charged with sale of cocaine (Schedule II), possession of crack cocaine and four bond violations. Robert Charles Berry, 37, of 11233 SE 102nd Place, was charged with purchase of cocaine (Schedule II) and possession of crack cocaine.
A Marion County sheriff’s sergeant working an undercover detail at around 9:30 p.m. April 7 saw a gray Ford F250 pull into the Circle K at 5182 Silver Springs Blvd. The truck pulled into a parking spot about two spaces away from the sergeant’s passenger-side door, according to the sheriff’s office report.
About three minutes later, a silver Buick car pulled up next to the F-250’s driver’s side door and a man – later identified as Berry – got out of the truck and entered Buick and spoke with the driver, later identified as Simmons. The sergeant, who had a clear, unobstructed view of the Buick’s occupants, observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction, the report said.
The sergeant and a lieutenant made contact with Simmons and Berry. They observed, in plain view, a clear plastic container of what appeared to be crack cocaine sitting on top of the center console of the Buick. Simmons and Berry were detained, and the substance tested positive for cocaine, according to the report.
Security video from the store parking lot, which was positioned towards the Buick, showed Berry get into the vehicle and Simmons hand him an object that looked like the plastic container with the crack cocaine. Berry then handed Simmons what appeared to be folded U.S. currency, the report said.
Simmons said Berry met him at the Circle K to pay him $80 for lawn care. Simmons had $80 in his possession. The amount of cocaine in the container on the center console appeared consistent with $80 worth of cocaine, according to the report.
Both men were taken to the Marion County Jail. Berry was released April 8 on $7,000 bond, while Simmons was released April 9 on $14,500 bond. No court information was available for either man.