Search Warrant Yields Drugs, Weapons

                                                                                                                                  NEWS RELEASE #: 17-090 - APRIL 7, 2017

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested two Sarasota men after a search warrant revealed stolen checks, a loaded weapon and drugs.

Detectives were first alerted to Shawn Kersey, DOB 10/8/86, on January 26, during a traffic stop where Kersey was found in possession of a stolen checkbook. Kersey claimed the checks were his grandmothers however, when detectives contacted the victim she confirmed she did not know Kersey nor did he have permission to access her accounts. As the investigation continued, detectives traced two separate instances of fraud to Kersey's home address where he used another victim's account information to make transactions totaling $40,000.

On Wednesday, Tactical Unit deputies stopped Kersey in the area of Murdock Avenue and Osage Terrace in Sarasota. Upon search of his backpack, deputies located methamphetamine, heroin, and various drug paraphernalia. Also within the backpack was a 9mm loaded firearm with an altered serial number. When detectives executed a search warrant on Kersey's home located at 5600 Granada Drive, Apt #254, they seized additional drugs including more than 2 pounds of marijuana, counterfeit money and fraudulent forms of identification. His roommate, Christian Olson, DOB 7/21/95, was also arrested.

Kersey is charged with two counts of Criminal Use of Personal Identification, two counts of Unlawful Possession of Identification, Grand Theft, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Serial Number, Altering the Identification on a Weapon, Carrying a Unlicensed Concealed Firearm, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Marijuana. He remains in custody today on $22,500 bond.

Olson is charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Methamphetamine. He was released Thursday on $4,500 bond.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
Shawn Kersey_04072017 Christian Olson_04072017