Rap video leads Pasco deputies to suspect's home
NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - Dozens of suspected criminals in Pasco County were arrested this week during a series of raids, including one that landed a rapper in jail after his YouTube music video led detectives right to his door.
Sheriff Chris Nocco said detectives were planning the raids for weeks and targeted drug dealers and users, as deputies tried to impact high-crime areas.
"We're coming. We're constantly coming. We're going to be like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: we're not going to stop until our community is safe," Nocco said during a news conference Friday. "We're going to make [the criminals'] lives uncomfortable in this county."
Deputies arrested 39 people and were still searching for more than 50 other suspects.
Jonte Scott Jr., 20, who also goes by "Da_Truth" was among those arrested after his rap video, called "Dey Know," featured guns, cash and even a Pasco deputy's cruiser.
The video helped lead the sheriff to his home on Viking Drive in Holiday; Scott is now facing drug charges.
Nocco said Scott also tried to warn some of his associates about the raids by live-streaming on Facebook, but authorities were still able to arrest most of the people he was attempting to warn.
FOX 13 News showed the video, in which several people stage a fake home invasion, to people in Pasco County.
"It was kind of ridiculous that they are that brazen to be out there flaunting their criminal behaviors," said Dustin Lusk, who was visiting a nearby park.
Several people in the community were glad to hear about the dozens of arrests.
"I think it's terrible. It's a scary situation knowing that the drugs are around and not knowing that the people were doing it," said Kathy Liberatos. "The more they crack down, the more they'll be able to clean it up."