JACKSON COUNTY ARRESTS

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Life in prison for man convicted of murder

JACKSON COUNTY – A judge sentenced Jeremiah Beazley to Life in prison Friday, one day after a jury took about 40 minutes to find him guilty of murder, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Beazley, 46, was found guilty as charged Thursday of second degree murder with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm after a two day trial for the March 31, 2021 shooting death of Bryan Thomas Anderson. He was facing 25 years to Life in prison under Florida’s 10-20-Life Statute.

“This is probably one of the most well-known criminals in this area,” Prosecutor Peter Overstreet told Circuit Judge Dustin Stephenson in asking for a Life sentence Friday. “I think just about everything that could be done to try and correct that have been tried and have failed.”

Overstreet said the only way to protect people from the defendant was for him to be kept in prison, which is what members of the victim’s family also requested.

“It’s clear to me that Mr. Anderson was well-liked and loved by all who knew him,” Judge Stephenson said to the defendant before sentencing him to Life in prison. “What’s also abundantly clear … is Mr. Anderson is no longer with us and he’s no longer with us because you killed him.”

Overstreet called 13 witnesses ranging from the victim’s wife and a juvenile who was in the Southport trailer when the victim was shot, to five Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and four Florida Department of Law Enforcement experts.

The testimony and evidence proved that the victim had given the defendant a place to stay, and that the two were friends although they sometimes argued about what they believed were governmental conspiracies.

The morning of the shooting, the victim, who lived a short distance away, walked to the trailer where the defendant was staying and went into his bedroom. The other occupants of the trailer who testified said they could hear the two talking, but did not hear raised voices or any indication of a scuffle or fight.

They testified they were not concerned until they heard gunshots from the bedroom. The defendant left the bedroom without explanation, got into the passenger’s side of a car that was leaving the residence and hid the gun at a nearby park. The victim was found in the bedroom shot twice, once in the back. The defendant was captured later that day by Bay County sheriff’s deputies.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for its work in capturing the defendant so quickly and the case it put together, as well as the FDLE for its expert testimony that included findings that the defendant was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the shooting. The victim had no intoxicants in his system.

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PRESS RELEASE

On June 27, around 11 a.m., both Jackson and Bay County deputies attempted to serve two people with Bay County warrants on Twin Ponds Road in the Silver Lake area. When deputies arrived, they arrested Sophia Nazarjchuk on her warrant for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. The second suspect, Clinton Branham, who had warrants for Violation of Probation, Child Support and Order of Contempt, barricaded himself inside the home.

Around 1 p.m., deputies convinced Branham to exit the home, and he was safely taken into custody. Both Nazarjchuk and Branham are being held on their warrants, and Branham will face additional charges.

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Friday night shooting leaves one dead; Investigation is sill on-going

JACKSON COUNTY – On Friday, June 23, around 6:30 p.m. deputies responded to Little Zion Road just outside of Sneads after receiving reports that a shooting had occurred at a home. When they arrived at the scene, deputies found one person dead and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, were called to assist.

No one has been arrested and no charges have been filed in this case, however, all parties involved are accounted for. This investigation is still ongoing and investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and gather evidence. There is no danger to the public.

We will continue to update the public as more information becomes available.

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More than 50 drug traffickers

arrested in Operation Agua Azul

JACKSON COUNTY – Approximately 20 months ago, a drug trafficking organization was identified and was found to be distributing large quantities of illegal drugs throughout the tri-state area. The investigation into this organization became known as “Operation Agua Azul.” Throughout the course of this long term investigation, many individuals were found to be distributing narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. These narcotics were being sold to citizens who suffer from addiction right here in our community.

Investigations of this magnitude take time, effort and expertise. Since the beginning of this investigation, more than 50 subjects have been arrested and we have seized 41 kilograms of methamphetamine, 6.6 kilograms of cocaine, 2.1 kilograms of crack cocaine, more than half a kilogram of heroin and oxycodone, multiple grams of MDMA and LSD, several pounds of marijuana and approximately 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, which has a potential to kill 1.3 million people or 6% of the population of Florida.

This investigation spanned over 20 months and required thousands of hours, making this the largest drug operation in the history of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Edenfield would like to thank everyone who had a hand in bringing these traffickers to justice, including U.S. Attorney Jason Coody, DEA Resident Agent in Charge Pedro Guzman, the Florida Highway Patrol, the United States Marshal Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Panama City DEA, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the North Star Multijurisdictional Drug Task Force, Sneads Police Department and Chattahoochee Police Department.

“This is not the end, it’s just the beginning,” Sheriff Edenfield said. “We will continue to work together to take drug traffickers off the streets and fight for the safety of our citizens.”

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Wanted felon arrested in Marianna

MARIANNA – On Thursday, June 8, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigators, alongside the U.S. Marshal Service Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, arrived at a residence in Marianna searching for 30 year old Devonte Keon Thomas. Thomas had felony warrants for Trafficking in Cocaine and Cocaine Possession with Intent to Sell Within 1000 Feet of a Specified Area out of Washington County and Aggravated Trafficking in Cocaine out of Mississippi. He also had misdemeanor warrants for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia out of Washington County.

When deputies arrived at the residence, Thomas was in the yard and immediately fled. After a short foot pursuit, tasers were deployed and Thomas was arrested. Thomas was also found to be in possession of crack cocaine. Thomas will be charged in Jackson County with Resisting Arrest Without Violence in addition to his many active warrants.

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77 year old Arrested for DUI

MARIANNA – On Tuesday, June 6, around 6:15 p.m., a deputy saw a vehicle consistently crossing the center line and going off the right side of the road, so he initiated a traffic stop. When the deputy made contact with the driver, Verralyn Daniels Hatch, he immediately saw a mostly empty bottle of “Seagrams Extra Dry Gin” near the center console. When the deputy asked Hatch if she had been drinking, she admitted she had.

When other deputies arrived on the scene, they conducted a Field Sobriety Test, and found clear indications that Hatch was under the influence of alcohol. When deputies searched the vehicle, they found four opened containers of alcohol and one unopened container.

Hatch admitted that she had been drinking since 2 p.m., and agreed to take a Breath Alcohol Test, which yielded a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.115. Deputies also discovered that Hatch has had two previous DUIs, one in 1986 and one in 2022, and has a suspended driver’s license.

Hatch was arrested and is being charged with Driving While Under the Influence and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked.

Sheriff Edenfield will not tolerate anyone driving under the influence and endangering the citizens and visitors of Jackson County. Drinking and driving puts countless individuals in danger, and anyone who chooses to do it will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Man found guilty of delivering near-fatal wound with

box cutter Defendant faces up to 30 years in prison

MARIANNA – A Jackson County jury took about 40 minutes Wednesday to return a guilty verdict against a man who sliced his victim from his chest to his neck with a box cutter, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Johnathon Clarence Coulliette, 37 of Marianna, was found guilty of Aggravated Battery (With a Deadly Weapon Causing Great Bodily Harm) after a two day trial. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia set sentencing for July 13.

Prosecutor Lawrence Gill is seeking to have the defendant, who was released from prison about two months before this offense, sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender and Prison Release Reoffender. That would double the potential penalty from up to 15 years in prison to 30 years. “In this case, a defendant who had only been out of prison about two months nearly killed a man,” Gill said. “People making false claims of self-defense will be held accountable.” Gill and Jackson County Chief Prosecutor Shalla Jefcoat called five witnesses and put on evidence proving that the defendant attacked the victim with a box cutter on Sept. 11, 2021.

The evidence showed the defendant’s girlfriend invited the victim and his girlfriend to the defendant’s home, but shortly after they arrived the defendant was upset and pacing back and forth. The evidence showed that the victim and victim’s girlfriend had only been at the defendant’s residence for approximately 15 minutes, when the defendant went into a shed and came back out with a box cutter. Witnesses said he approached the victim and swung at him, creating a cut from his chest to near his throat that took dozens of staples to close. The jury rejected the defense’s argument that it was self-defense. The victim and his girlfriend made it back to their car and called 911.

Basford thanked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their work on the case.

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Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement arrests Marianna

man for possession of child sexual abuse material

MARIANNA – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Thomas B. Richards III, 30, of Marianna, on 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device, all felony charges. Due to the number of images and videos found, each count of possession is reclassified to a second-degree felony per Florida Statutes 775.0847.

The investigation began in March 2023 when FDLE received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an account user downloading images of child sexual abuse material.

FDLE issued a search warrant to the service provider and conducted additional investigative work, identifying Richards as the account holder.

On May 25, FDLE agents executed a search warrant at Richards’ residence and seized multiple digital devices. Numerous files depicting the sexual abuse of children, including that of children younger than 5 years old, were found in addition to the images obtained from the search warrant to the service provider. Investigators with the Marianna Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations assisted with executing the search warrant. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information about Richards that may help investigators is urged to contact FDLE Pensacola at (800) 226-8574.

Richards was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on May 25. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, 14th Judicial Circuit.

Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at: https://secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm.

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One arrested for burglary and grand theft

MARIANNA – On Thursday, April 13, our office received a call referencing a burglary that had taken place on Bump Nose Road in Marianna. Evidence was collected and a suspect was identified after investigators found a video of the suspect committing the crime.

On April 14, investigators saw the suspect’s vehicle, conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Alain Adan. Stolen property was found in Adan’s vehicle and he admitted to the burglary. Investigators located more than $2,000 worth of stolen property in Adan’s possession and the property has since been returned to the owner.

•Alain Adan, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary, burglary while armed, grand theft of $750 or more, defrauding a pawn broker, JCSO

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Two arrested for theft in three counties

MARIANNA – On Friday, March 31, JCSO received a call from a law enforcement agency in George County, Mississippi stating that a skid steer that had been stolen from their agency had been tracked to a location near I-10 in Jackson County. When deputies arrived at the location the stolen property was believed to be, the Motel 6 on Highway 71 South, they located the stolen skid steer on a trailer parked next to an F-350.

Deputies then made contact with the people in the truck and two people exited the vehicle. During the investigation, K-9 Grace was called to the scene and alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found methamphetamine, as well as a large number of tools used for cloning vehicles.

Deputies also discovered that the VIN number on the vehicle did not match the paperwork and the FloridaHighway Patrol was called to the scene to assist. When the correct VIN number was found, the truck was determined to have been stolen out of Suwannee County and the trailer was found to have been stolen out of Polk County.

Both suspects, Yosniel Mir and Dayron Folch, were arrested and are being charged with Grand Theft Auto, two counts of Grand Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Burglary Tools and Altered VIN.

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MARIANNA – Monday, March 27, around 1 a.m., deputies conducted a building check around Blondies in Grand Ridge and saw a white vehicle backed into a parking space with three people inside. When deputies made contact with the occupants, they told deputies that they had a flat tire, which was determined to be a lie. Deputies also saw what appeared to be drugs inside the vehicle through the window. The person in the driver’s seat, Angel Weeks, then told a Sneads Police Officer, who had arrived as back up, that there was marijuana in the vehicle. After searching the vehicle, marijuana, MDMA and two smoking devices were found and Weeks admitted that she was the owner.

Angel Weeks was arrested and is being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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Bonifay murder trial ends with

guilty verdict, two life sentences

BONIFAY – A Holmes County jury took 37 minutes Wednesday to find Latorish Antonio Gardner guilty as charged in the murder of one man and the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, State Attorney Larry Basford announced. Under Florida’s 10-20-Life Statute, Prosecutor Ben Keown asked that Gardner, 50, be sentenced to Life for Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm, Life for Attempted First-Degree Murder with a Firearm, and the maximum 15 years for Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. Circuit Judge Russell Roberts agreed and made the sentences consecutive, meaning one will be served after the other.

Prosecutor Ben Keown said his heart goes out to the families of Derrick Thompson, who died, and Mariah Maps, who was critically wounded. He thanked jurors for their service and for focusing on the facts of the case to find justice for those affected. “A shooting like this in a public area is the type of crime that one usually thinks of happening in other places, and to have such senseless violence happen in our community is unfathomable,” Keown said. “A crime like this defendant committed sends shockwaves not only through the Holmes County community but also throughout the lives of every person who was at the Ponce De Leon rest area that day.”

Witnesses and evidence presented by Keown painted a picture of chaos at the rest stop on May 2, 2021, after gunfire erupted. Mariah Maps was meeting the defendant, her former boyfriend, at the rest stop for him to pick up their three daughters for visitation.

Maps needed a ride and her boyfriend, Thompson, accompanied her. An argument began in the parking lot between Maps and the defendant, she testified, as he began making accusations against her. Thompson, the testimony showed, de-escalated the situation and was leaving with Maps when the dispute resumed. This time, witnesses said, when Thompson tried to talk to the defendant, the defendant pulled a 9mm pistol and shot him once in the chest, killing him almost instantly. Witnesses and Maps testified that Maps fled on foot for about 70 yards with the defendant chasing her while firing another half dozen rounds at her in the parking lot.

She spotted an open door on a car at the rest stop and sought refuge there. James Lancaster testified it was his car and he saw the defendant chasing the victim, saying he was going to kill her before she tried to crawl into the back seat of his car. He said he retrieved a gun from his car to protect Maps and pointed it at the defendant, who was waving his gun around. “He fired over my shoulder and through the window and hit her,” the witness testified. “As soon as he had shot, he said, ‘It’s over, I’m done,’ and he turned and walked away.”

The defendant was found and arrested later that day at a relative’s home in Marianna. The murder weapon was never recovered.

Basford thanked all the witnesses who were at the rest stop that day and returned to testify. He also credited the work of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Holmes County EMS, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their participation in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

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MARIANNA – On Monday, Feb. 27, our office received a complaint from a parent that Fredy Baldemar Morales Domingo had been in the company of her daughter on multiple occasions without the parent’s permission. An investigation revealed that Domingo, who is 31 years old, had been involved in a dating relationship with the complainant’s 16-year-old daughter for about a year. It was then learned that Domingo and the 16-year-old had been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship as well.

A warrant was obtained for Domingo, and he was taken into custody at his home on Wednesday, March 1, without incident. Domingo is being charged with five counts of Interference with Custody and two counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors.

Sheriff Edenfield does not tolerate any type of abuse or inappropriate behavior towards minors. Anyone who chooses to commit these types of crimes in Jackson County will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Malone man arrested after fleeing law enforcement

MARIANNA – On Tuesday, Feb. 28, around 6:30 a.m., Jackson County deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in Greenwood. One of the people involved, Hubert Calloway, Jr., fled from the residence into the woods on foot. During the investigation, it was determined that Calloway had outstanding warrants for Violation of Community Control for Fleeing and Eluding Law Enforcement. The K-9 tracking unit was activated and more resources were deployed to the area.

With continued efforts by law enforcement, and assistance from the community, the suspect was located and taken into custody near the intersection of Blue Springs Road and Sylvania Plantation Road.

Calloway is being charged with resisting an officer without violence.

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Man wrecks, then flees from stolen vehicle

MARIANNA – On Saturday, Feb. 25, deputies responded to assist the Florida Highway Patrol with a single vehicle wreck on Highway 71 near Heartsfield Road. When deputies arrived on scene, a witness reported that the driver of the vehicle fled into the woods immediately after the crash.

During the investigation, deputies determined that the vehicle had been stolen from a Dothan-area business earlier in the day. The K-9 Tracking Unit was activated and quickly established a track on the suspect. After receiving assistance from a citizen with drone footage of the suspect, Richard Conway was located and taken into custody.

Conway is being charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage by the Florida Highway Patrol and resisting an officer without violence by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.