Three men are accused of making and selling moonshine in Haines City.
Joe Aaron, 73, Rickey L. Barnes, 31, and Jacob R. Mayes, 28, were arrested Thursday after detectives executed three search warrants on homes on Carter Road, Carl Boozer Road and Uncle Pete Road S.
According to arrest affidavits, Aaron a moonshine still in his garage at his home on Carter Road. Detectives also said he had more than a gallon of moonshine in jars in his possession at the time. They said Aaron was producing and distributing the moonshine, which appeared to have been distilled from a variety of grains.
The arrest affidavits said Barnes refined the moonshine and infused it with flavors, including pineapple, apple pie and peach. Investigators said they found a jar of moonshine and the items involved in flavoring it, as well as 59 grams of cannabis in a safe.
Mayes is accused of storing the moonshine for distribution. Detectives said they found several jars and jugs containing assorted flavors of moonshine.
The men are facing charges of possession of illegal liquor, conspiracy to violate beverage law and unlawful possession of beverage containers. Barnes is facing additional charges of possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both Barnes and Aaron are also facing charges of possession of still material liquids.
"The illegal moonshine racket in Polk County is alive, but not-so-well," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press release. "Popcorn Sutton would not have been proud of these bootleggers—it wasn’t a very sophisticated operation, but they were producing, distributing, and selling illegal moonshine in the area."