Daytona Beach fugitive wanted on drug charges captured in Deltona attic.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, authorities successfully apprehended Zacheus King, a 30-year-old fugitive with active drug-related warrants in Daytona Beach, while hiding in an attic at a home off Quail Drive in Deltona. The arrest also led to the seizure of a substantial amount of fentanyl and other illicit substances.

King was a wanted individual, facing charges related to the sale of heroin and cocaine, as per warrants issued by the Daytona Beach Police Department. Authorities were familiar with King's criminal record, which included a prior arrest for trafficking in methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, fleeing, and resisting.

Earlier that day, detectives observed a man exiting the Deltona residence carrying a Chick-fil-A bag and entering a vehicle. Although initially believed to be King, the individual was 38-year-old Antonio Mallory. Subsequently, a search of the Chick-fil-A bag revealed 274 grams of a substance that tested presumptive positive for fentanyl. Mallory was arrested and charged with trafficking in fentanyl, with a bond set at $500,000.

Upon obtaining a search warrant for the residence, law enforcement officials discovered additional narcotics concealed in the attic, including two bags containing approximately 18 grams and 32 grams of fentanyl, respectively packaged for distribution, alongside 3.9 grams of crack cocaine. A safe in the master bedroom contained another significant quantity of fentanyl, a firearm, ammunition, and cash. Detectives recovered approximately 358.5 grams of fentanyl, 3.9 grams of crack cocaine, $10,600 in cash, a 9mm pistol, and an extended magazine from the home.

Law enforcement personnel, including detectives and deputies, thoroughly searched the residence, deploying a camera and eventually climbing into the attic space. After multiple announcements and careful investigation, they located King approximately 30 minutes later when a section of the ceiling partially collapsed. However, King was taken into custody without further incident.

King's capture was for his existing warrants; however, further charges, including trafficking in fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest without violence, were added before being booked at the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he remains held without bond due to being out on bond for prior charges.