Drug bust also reveals ID theft operation

Jefferson County deputies raided two homes and walked away with lots of cash, guns and drugs. They not only found heroin, coke and marijuana, but they also uncovered an identity theft operation.

Two people were arrested in this case. Twenty-eight-year-old Brandon Lee Williams was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

But the sheriff says 36-year-old Roderick Cole was the ring leader of this operation, one he calls pretty sophisticated.

"I would have to say as far as sophistication...he's going to be at the top of the neighborhood drug dealer chain," Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale said.

Deputies discovered flat screen TVs, video games, assault rifles, almost $9,000 in cash, a stash of cocaine, marijuana and heroin all inside two of Cole's homes.

The search warrants on Cole were part of an investigation into the distribution of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in western Jefferson County.

One search warrant was served at Cole's home in Roosevelt city, the other at a separate home in Brighton.

There were also prescription drugs, some of which were obtained by scripts authorities say Cole forged on his own printer. But it didn't stop there. Authorities say there was also an identity theft side to his business.

Deputies found at least 45 different credit cards, all in someone else's name, and they believe there may be more.

Everyone found inside the homes, protected by surveillance cameras, is believed to have been purchased with drug money.

Plus, officers found the ultimate protection system: two assault rifles and a ton of bullets.

"If you're an honest, law abiding citizen and you purchase it, I don't have a problem with it. But I do have a problem with someone, a convicted felon like this have these kinds of weapons," Sheriff Hale said.

The sheriff said it's likely Cole will face more charges. For now, he's out on bond.

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