BAY COUNTY

Two arrested for taking two children from

Bay County to Milwaukee, Wisconsin

BAY COUNTY – Two are in custody today for taking two young children out of Bay County Florida to Milwaukee, Wisconsin without the knowledge of their mother. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Adalyn Jean Burkett, 18, of Callaway, and Marquan L. Edwards, 22, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for taking the children and their mother’s vehicle.

On June 24, 2023, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the mother of the children reporting that her two children had been taken out of state by a woman she believed to be a friend. The woman had also taken the mother’s vehicle. 

The mother told law enforcement she was with the suspect, Adalyn Jean Burkett on the previous night in Callaway. The mother reported that Burkett was supposed to babysit her two children overnight. The mother also allowed Burkett to use her vehicle for the night with the agreement that Burkett would return the vehicle the morning of June 24th, 2023. Upon contacting Burkett, the mother learned that she was no longer in Bay County and had left the state with both the vehicle and the two children.

BCSO Criminal Investigations was notified of the incident and efforts to locate the children immediately started. It was learned that Burkett was accompanied by Marquan L. Edwards, 22, from Milwaukee, WI. Together they had traveled from Panama City, FL, to Milwaukee, WI, during the night of June 23 and into the day of June 24 in the mother’s vehicle with the two children. Investigative measures confirmed the two to be in Milwaukee. On the evening of June 24, an arrest warrant was obtained for Burkett for Interference with Child Custody and Grand Theft of an Automobile. This information was sent to the Milwaukee Police Department that the children and the two suspects were in their city.

A Missing Child Alert was issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for DeKarsen Middleton, 2, and Delyla Middleton, 1, on June 25, 2023. This was disseminated through numerous media outlets. When Burkett and Edwards learned of the Missing Child Alert, the suspects took both children and dropped them off in a public park in a neighborhood of Milwaukee, leaving them alone in a major metropolitan city. Investigators believe Burkett and Edwards wanted to distance themselves from the investigation and possible arrest. 

The children were found that evening by Milwaukee PD and taken to their police station. The United States Marshal Service in the Milwaukee area was notified of the investigation and provided additional information on Marquan Edwards. An arrest warrant was obtained on Edwards for Principal to Interference with Child Custody on June 25, 2023.

On June 26, 2023, members of the United States Marshal Service located and arrested Burkett and Edwards at a residence in Milwaukee on the warrants obtained in the BCSO investigation. Milwaukee PD advised that they were investigating the defendants for leaving the children alone in the park on the evening of June 25th.

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  35 year sentence handed down for Pensacola man

caught bringing addictive, fatal drugs to Bay County

BAY COUNTY – A man who brought enough Fentanyl into Bay County to cause 25,000 overdoses has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Joseph Earl Lord, 47, was set to go to trial this week on charges of Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams of more), Trafficking in Illegal Drugs, and Trafficking in Amphetamine (14 grams but less than 28). Instead, he entered an open plea to the charges, meaning he admitted guilty but left sentencing up Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson.

All three charges are first-degree felonies normallypunishable by up to 30 years in prison. But Prosecutor Nicole Reed proved that Lord’s previous criminal history qualified him to be sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender – meaning he faced up to Life in prison.

Judge Stephenson adjudicated the defendant guilty on all charges, sentencing him to 35 years with a 25-year minimum-mandatory on the Fentanyl case. The defendant was sentenced to 30 years each on the other trafficking charges to be served consecutively, or at the same time, as the first sentence.

“This wasn’t his first trip, he’s a known supplier of one of the most lethal drugs out there and he was living outside of our area and bringing it into Bay County for sale,” Reed said. “Unfortunately for him, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office was ready and waiting and made the arrest. Our office was ready and waiting to prosecute and now, at 47, he’s been sentenced to spend the next 35 years in prison.”

Reed was prepared to present witnesses and evidence showing that the BCSO had been investigating drugs coming into Bay County through a specific address and developed information the defendant would arrive there Nov. 10, 2021, with a large amount of narcotics.

When the defendant arrived and walked into the house with a backpack, deputies served a previously obtained search warrant. The defendant ran into the kitchen area and the backpack was found on the floor under a table. Inside the backpack deputies found 50 grams of Fentanyl, 5 ounces of Methamphetamine, and 9 grams of heroin.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office and case agent Phillip Hill for making one of the larger Fentanyl seizures in the area, and their proactive work in seizing the drugs before they made it onto the streets.

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Bay County man arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine

BAY COUNTY – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Division (SID) arrested a Panama City man for drug charges today. Corey Cleveland, 41, also had an active outstanding warrant for his arrest.

During the investigation, SID investigators learned that Cleveland not only had an active warrant for his arrest but was in the Callaway area with illegal narcotics in his possession. Based on Cleveland’s violent criminal history, which included robbery, aggravated battery, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement, BCSO Special Investigations Division investigators deployed right away to take him into custody.

BCSO investigators were able to locate Cleveland in a blue Ford F-150 in the parking lot of the Callaway Walmart, located at 725 N. Tyndall Pkwy. Shortly after exiting the vehicle, Cleveland was taken into custody on the active arrest warrant. It was at this time that a BCSO certified narcotics detection K9 Fila was deployed. K9 Fila rendered a positive alert to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. This resulted in a probable cause search of the vehicle.

Upon searching, investigators discovered a trafficking amount of methamphetamine (over 59.1 grams) as well as smaller amounts of pressed fentanyl pills, Crack Cocaine and Cocaine.

Corey Cleveland was arrested for the offense of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Fentanyl.

 

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BAY COUNTY – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the culmination of a narcotics investigation with the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana. MDMA, and alprazolam.

On June 13,  the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division conducted the investigation which led to a traffic stop on Frankford Avenue in Panama City. Contact was made with the driver, Brittany Johnson, 37, of Panama City. Investigators deployed BCSO certified narcotics detection K9 Fila. She did an open-air sniff on the vehicle and rendered a positive alert to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. This resulted in a probable cause search of the vehicle during which investigators discovered a trafficking amount of methamphetamine over 130 grams. Also discovered on Johnson’s person was more methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.

As a result of the traffic stop, Special Investigations investigators obtained a search warrant of Johnson’s residence at 5802 Highway 22 in Callaway. While waiting for the search warrant to be granted, investigators surveilled the residence and observed a man arrive at the home. He was later identified as Walter Natiel Junior, 44, of Panama City. Natiel was observed entering and exiting the residence with a bag. It was believed that the bag contained evidence pertaining to the investigation, so contact was made with Natiel. The bag was found to contain over 2.2lbs of methamphetamine.

A short time later, the residential search warrant was executed by investigators. Located inside Johnson’s residence were more narcotics and a firearm. A trafficking amount of MDMA and a large amount of Alprazolam pills prepackaged for distribution were seized.

Investigators arrested Brittany Johnson for the offense of trafficking in methamphetamine more than 200 grams, trafficking in MDMA more than 10 grams, possession of Alprazolam with Intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Natiel was also arrested for tampering with evidence. Both were later booked into the Bay County Jail.

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Local man arrested after being caught

molesting a juvenile with special needs

BAY COUNTY – On June 06, 2023, the BCSO arrested Timothy Lee Weeks, age 55, on four counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and five counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. Earlier that day the Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Callaway home when the mother of the victim found Weeks in bed with the juvenile victim and called 911. She has cooperated fully with the investigation.  

The victim is a special needs child with a mental capacity much lower than their physical age. With the assistance of the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, investigators have learned that Weeks committed sexual acts with the victim multiple times. 

Timothy Weeks was charged with four counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and five counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. He is currently being held on a 1.5-million-dollar bond. If you have any information on this case or any additional case involving Timothy Weeks, please contact Corporal McGowin at 850-248-2179, use the Bay County Sheriff’s Office app to place a tip, or call Crimestoppers at 785-TIPS. 

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Two arrested after fradulent sale

of land in the Mexico Beach area

BAY COUNTY – The reports of fraudulent sales of land began in August 2022. The BCSO received numerous

reports of these sales in the Mexico Beach area. In these cases, the suspect would pose as the owner of a vacant lot in Mexico Beach and would post the property for sale on sites such as Zillow and Craigslist. 

Unsuspecting buyers would reach out to the “seller” and begin the process to purchase the lot. During the sale and titling process, the suspect would provide false or forged documentation. In many instances, the sale of these properties would be completed, and the buyer would provide the money to the title company who would in turn wire the proceeds of the sale to the suspect’s bank account. 

Two of these completed real estate sales were for properties listed for $75,000 and $70,000. After some time, both sales went through, and the sale proceeds were wired to the suspect’s account.

Through the course of these investigations and with the assistance of the Baltimore County Police Department, it was determined the

suspect who initiated the sale is Adekanmi Adedeji, of Baltimore, MD. It was also determined the owner of the bank account that received the wire transfer for both sales is Olusegun Oludamiro, of Houston, TX.

Charges were filed and warrants were issued for these individuals. As of June 8, 2023, both Adedeji and Oludamiro have been arrested on these warrants and are awaiting extradition back to Bay County. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Baltimore County Police Department, the Fort Bend Sheriff’s Office, and the New Jersey Port Authority Police Department for their assistance in this case.

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Woman stabs roommate in the neck during verbal altercation

BAY COUNTY – On June 2, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a beach woman after she stabbed a man in the neck.

The BCSO received a call reporting a stabbing just before 1 p.m. Deputies responded to the scene of the stabbing on Sunset Avenue, Panama City Beach. The victim of the stabbing was not at the home, but the suspect was.

Criminal investigators also responded to the residence and learned that the suspect, Beverly Lynn Carney, 39, and the victim lived together in the home. This afternoon the two had a verbal altercation over living conditions and, during the altercation, Carney had a knife in her hand and brought it up and stabbed the victim in the neck. The victim fled to a family member’s residence a few blocks away and was driven to a nearby emergency room. The victim suffered a non-life-threatening wound and was treated and released.

Carney was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and taken to the Bay County Jail.

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 Two life sentences in child sexual abuse case

Defendant sexually battered child over a period of years

BAY COUNTY – A judge, on Wednesday, ordered a man to spend the rest of his life in prison after his April convictions of sexually abusing a child for years, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge, Brantley Clark, gave Sean Michael Talkington, 45, two separate life sentences, one for each count of Sexual Battery on a Child under the age of 12 – 25 years for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and 15 years for Lewd and Lascivious Battery. He ordered the terms served consecutively. The sentencing ended a case that involved prosecutors and law enforcement in both Bay County, where the crime occurred and Kansas, where the defendant was questioned. “I’m happy we were able to close this chapter and help her on her healing journey,” Prosecutor Nicole Reed said. “The collaboration between our office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department shows that justice isn’t bound by jurisdictional lines.”

Reed, who read the victim’s impact statement to the court during sentencing, said the effort put into the case by everyone involved paid off, “knowing that a Sexual Predator has been put away for the rest of his life and the victim can breathe easier.” In her Victim Impact Statement, the victim wrote about her pain and suffering, saying, “The journey to healing has only begun and I have a lifetime of healing and self-discovery to fight for, and I’ll never stop fighting for this life and for peace.”

During the April trial, Reed called four witnesses and presented evidence that proved the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim between 2005 and 2012. Among the state witnesses were Bay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jake Roberts and Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department Sgt. Jamie Lawson, who traveled to Bay County to testify. Roberts was the case agent. Sgt. Lawson conducted an interview with the defendant in Kansas during which the defendant made admissions.

The jury deliberated for just over 30 minutes.

Basford thanked the BCSO and Lawrence, Kansas police for their collaborative work on a case that spanned years and nearly 1,000 miles.

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Woman who fled with 400+ grams

of meth found guilty of trafficking

PANAMA CITY  – A Bay County jury on Wednesday, returned a guilty verdict against a woman caught with more than 400 grams of Methamphetamine after she fled from law enforcement and tripped in a ditch, spilling multiple bags of the drugs, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Kizzy Gentina Patterson, 44, of Panama City, was found guilty as charged of trafficking in Methamphetamine more than 200 grams, after 26 minutes of deliberation. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark set sentencing for May 25 at 9 a.m. The crime is a First-Degree Felony and under Florida’s Statute for enhanced penalties in drug trafficking cases, the defendant faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years.

“This defendant made some bad choices to avoid capture when she fled deputies, drove into their vehicles and then fled on foot, all with innocent bystanders nearby,” said Prosecutor Frank Sullivan. “Florida has made some good choices with its enhanced penalties for drug traffickers and we anticipate she will pay a steep price for her actions.”

Sullivan called three current or former Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators who testified that on Jan. 9, 2020, the defendant was under surveillance after information was received she was going to be in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine. A fourth witness from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement testified that the seized drugs tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed about 420 grams. Former investigator Stephen O’Bryen said the defendant was seen leaving the house with a large black bag which was believed to contain methamphetamine. Lt. Doug Smith said an undercover deputy using his emergency lights attempted to pull her over for a violation, but she fled. O’Bryen testified he was in an unmarked vehicle in front of the defendant when the traffic stop was initiated, and she ran into the rear of his car trying to get away. Video from a Springfield patrol car captured the defendant then attempting to turn left and escape, but hitting another vehicle before being pinned against a power pole. At that point, the video showed the defendant leaping out of the car and running away with a black bag. A pursuing investigator testified she stumbled while crossing a ditch and that multiple baggies of what turned out to be methamphetamine tumbled out. She was captured a few yards away.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case and for safely apprehending the defendant, as well as the Springfield Police Department for capturing the video.

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Narcotics investigation leads to drug charges

BAY COUNTY – Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division announces the arrest of Rodrick Dewayne Sessions, 46, of Springfield, on multiple drug charges.

On April 28, a search warrant was executed by investigators at a home in Springfield, where Sessions resides. Investigators recovered over two kilos (4.40 pounds) of cocaine, 50 grams of crack cocaine and over seven pounds of marijuana in the residence. Also found in the residence was about $58,000.00 in cash. Sessions was arrested and booked into the Bay County Jail.

•Rodrick Sessions, trafficking in cocaine more than 400 grams, trafficking in crack cocaine more than 28 grams, possession of Marijuana more than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing crack cocaine, keeping a drug nuisance structure, BCSO

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Man arrested in connection to overnight fire at

the clubhouse in the River Camps subdivision

PANAMA CITY – Florida Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis and Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford announced today the arrest of a local man in connection to an overnight fire at the clubhouse in the River Camps subdivision. The same individual was also involved in an incident of vandalism on April 18 at the community pool and pool house within River Camps off Hwy 388 in Bay County.  Bay County Fire Services responded to the fire at about 2:30 a.m. today to find the clubhouse building fully ingulfed. The State Fire Marshal’s Office responded and the BCSO joined the investigation as it became apparent the fire was a case of arson.

Using investigation tools and techniques, Carter Adair, 23, of Bay County, was developed as a suspect in the fire as investigators could place his vehicle at River Camps last evening. Working with the State Fire Marshall’s Office, the BCSO executed several search warrants in connection to the fire incident. Located in one of the Search Warrants were articles and evidence connecting Adair to the clubhouse fire.  BCSO investigators were also able to connect Adair to an incident of vandalism on April 18 involving damage done to a building on River House Drive within the subdivision. The property manager and the custodian had arrived at work and discovered considerable property damage to the community pool and the pool house. A table in the patio area had been spray painted and cabinets in the guest services area were opened and items removed. A gas stove was pulled away from the wall inside the pool house. The area around the stove was soaked with a liquid chemical from the fire suppression system above the stove. The microwave was filled with silverware and turned on and now had burn marks. A fire extinguisher had been sprayed in the men’s bathroom, covering the stalls, the walls, the doors and sinks inside. A grill outside by the pool was left with the gas on and the smell of gas was detected. A second gas grill was disconnected and pushed into the pool, as was a ping pong table, outdoor chairs and cushions and a trash can. Found during Search Warrants at Adair’s home were a blanket and articles of clothing that were similar to ones worn by a man captured on security video at the pool house and buildings.

Carter Adair was charged by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office with Criminal Mischief greater than $1000, a felony. The State Fire Marshall’s Office is charging Adair with Arson, also a felony. Carter Adair was taken to the Bay County Jail and will face First Appearance tomorrow.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Arson is a costly and dangerous crime that will not be tolerated in Florida. Our arson detectives worked diligently with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office to track down this alleged arsonist quickly and without incident. Thank you to Sheriff Tommy Ford and all of the law enforcement personnel who worked to bring this perpetrator to justice.”

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BAY COUNTY – A traffic stop led to the seizure of 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine and the arrest of Rex Allan Taylor after he led law enforcement on a short vehicle pursuit.

On April 7, 2023, investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations division conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Rex Allen Taylor, 59, of Southport. Taylor fled and led investigators on a short pursuit before they were able to stop his vehicle and he was taken into custody. 

During a search of the vehicle approximately 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine was recovered, along with approximately 52.9 grams of marijuana and $2,200.00 in US Currency. 

•Rex Allen Taylor, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, manufacture of narcotics paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, trafficking methamphetamine more than 200 grams, possession of marijuana more than 20 grams, carrying a concealed electronic device, BCSO

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BAY COUNTY – A Pensacola man was arrested yesterday by the Special Investigations Division of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office on multiple narcotics charges. Investigators seized half a pound of Methamphetamine and over one ounce of Fentanyl. 

In the early hours of April 18, 2023, made contact with Jakobe Milton, 29, of Pensacola, in the 17000 block of Panama City Beach Parkway. Milton was sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot with a female passenger. Upon seeing investigators, Milton attempted to flee in his vehicle and rammed an unmarked patrol vehicle. He then reversed and rammed a second unmarked patrol vehicle. Milton refused commands to exit the vehicle and refused to let the female passenger out of the vehicle. Milton finally allowed the passenger out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended a short distance away. In the vehicle, investigators located half a pound of methamphetamine and 36.6 grams of Fentanyl.

•Jakobe Milton, trafficking methamphetamine over 200 grams, trafficking Fentanyl more than 28 grams, two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, tampering with evidence, resisting an officer without violence, false imprisonment, possession of drug paraphernalia, BCSO

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BAY COUNTY – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division arrested a Panama City Beach man after an investigation revealed information he was trafficking in illegal narcotics.

Narcotics investigators developed information that Zacchaeus Vincent, 29, of Panama City Beach was bringing methamphetamine and fentanyl to Bay County over the course of an investigation that lasted several weeks. Felony warrants for Vincent were obtained. Vincent was arrested on these warrants on April 17, as he got off a Greyhound bus in Panama City Beach.

During an interview with investigators, Vincent admitted he was carrying methamphetamine and heroin in his travel bag. A search of Vincent’s bag revealed he carried one pound of methamphetamine and two ounces of a powder substance which tested positive for fentanyl. Vincent admitted he obtained the narcotics in Louisiana and traveled by bus from New Orleans to Panama City Beach.

•Zacchaeus Vincent, trafficking in methamphetamine more than 200 grams, trafficking in Fentanyl more than 28 grams, importation of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, BCSO

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BAY COUNTY – Sheriff Tommy Ford announces today’s arrest of Wilfri Perez-Ferreira, 27, of Pascagoula, Mississippi. The defendant allegedly came to Bay County to attempt to contact his estranged girlfriend in Callaway. The defendant later swerved his vehicle into the path of the victim’s vehicle, causing her to crash at East Avenue and 4^th Street in Panama City. After the victim crashed her car, he forcibly removed her from her vehicle against her will and pushed her into the back seat of the vehicle he was driving.

With the assistance of BAYROC and the Panama City Police Department, law enforcement could identify the defendant’s vehicle, including the assigned tag. With this information, law enforcement successfully located the defendant’s vehicle. It was stopped by Bay County Deputies and the defendant was taken into custody at East Avenue and 22^nd Court in Panama City. Wilfri Perez-Ferreira was booked into the Bay County Jail and awaits their first appearance. 

•Wilfri Perez-Ferreira, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, written threats to kill, BCSO

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Man guilty of sexually assaulting child for years

BAY COUNTY – A man found guilty Wednesday of sexually assaulting a young girl over a period of years faces Life in prison at his May sentencing, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Sean Michael Talkington, 45, was found guilty as charged of two counts of Sexual Battery on a Person Less than 12 Years of Age, and one count each of Lewd or Lascivious Battery, and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark set his sentencing for May 17.

Prosecutor Nicole Reed called four witnesses and presented evidence that proved the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim between 2005 and 2012. “I’m thankful that this victim was able to find the strength to tell her story in 2021 when she was ready to speak her truth and that we were able to seek justice,” Reed said. “We got a swift verdict, showing the jury believed her testimony.”

The jury deliberated for just over 30 minutes before finding the defendant guilty on all four counts.

Among the state witnesses were Bay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jake Roberts and Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department Sgt. Jamie Lawson, who traveled to Bay County to testify. Roberts was the case agent. Sgt. Lawson conducted an interview with the defendant in Kansas during which the defendant made admissions.

Basford thanked the BCSO and Lawrence, Kansas police for their collaborative work on a case that spanned years and nearly 1,000 miles.

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 Woman guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter

of a Child for leaving infant in car for hours

PANAMA CITY – A jury that heard four days of testimony took 22 minutes Friday to find a woman guilty of causing the death of her seven-week-old infant by leaving her in a car for hours while she was on methamphetamine, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Megan Elizabeth Dauphin, 32, of Panama City, was taken into custody and ordered held without bond after being found guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson set sentencing for May 3. Dauphin faces up to 30 years in prison for the first-degree felony.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet called more than a dozen witnesses and presented evidence proving the defendant left her home with the infant the morning of Sept. 2, 2020, and forgot to get her out of the car when she returned around 9 a.m. It wasn’t until about four and a half hours later that a young teen in the home, who had been asleep, asked where the baby was. At first the defendant said the living room, but when told the infant was not there, testimony was that she froze for a few seconds before screaming and running to her vehicle. Testimony from medical experts showed the level of methamphetamine in the defendant’s blood and her behavior, proved she was under the influence at the time her infant died. “Every child deserves a chance and every child deserves love and care,” Overstreet said after the verdict. “Even though this infant did not get that in her seven weeks of life with her mother, this verdict shows that the people of Bay County care.”

The defendant, who told Bay County Sheriff’s Department investigators that day that she had not used drugs, testified on her own behalf. She initially denied using methamphetamine and said the doctors and tests on her blood were wrong. Under cross examination she admitted to using methamphetamine, but said it was two days before her daughter’s death. Overstreet reiterated to jurors the defendant’s denial of drug use despite it being found in her blood and her denial of overdosing and being given Narcan by police to revive her a week after her baby was born. In particular, he attacked her claims that when she did use methamphetamine, it was because it helped her focus and that the drug did not have any “negative” effects on her. “So is that why you elected to use methamphetamine, because it gives you all these positive results? Is that what you’re telling this jury?” Overstreet asked. “You don’t think your use of this illicit drug over this period of time affected the way your brain worked; you don’t think it affects your ability to remember things?” The defendant said no, adding that it “helped” her stay on task and focus.

At the end of his closing argument, Overstreet told jurors that the defendant’s claims that methamphetamine had no negative affects on her spoke volumes and her version of events did not match other testimony or the evidence. “Megan Dauphin came into this courtroom Monday wearing the cloak of innocent-until-proven guilty,” he said. “And now it’s been removed, and you’ve seen her exposed for what she truly is: a person guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child.”

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators for their work, the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, as well as experts from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a forensic toxicologist at the University of Florida.

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Jury takes 15 minutes to deliberate &

convict woman for Meth Trafficking

BAY COUNTY – A woman who admitted possessing and selling Methamphetamine after a search warrant was served on her home was found guilty as charged Tuesday and faces up to 30 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Jacqueline Michelle Long, 48, of Panama City was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (28 grams or more) and Possession of Paraphernalia after jurors deliberated for about 15 minutes. Circuit Court Judge Devin Collier set sentencing for May 1. The offense is a first-degree felony punishable by a minimum/mandatory 7 years and up to 30 years in prison.

Prosecutor Josh James presented witnesses and evidence proving that deputies found about 34 grams of Methamphetamine in the defendant’s home when they served a search warrant May 7, 2021.

“Thanks to the hard work and diligent investigation of Bay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Doug Cummings and Sgt. Jeremy Head, a confessed narcotics dealer will now be held accountable for her actions,” James said. “Methamphetamine is a particularly dangerous drug, and because it is highly addictive and cheap, its prevalence has been a plague in Bay County.

“We appreciate the jury’s verdict because it sends a message to the drug traffickers and dealers endangering our residents that their actions will not be tolerated and they will answer for their crimes.”

Testimony showed a Sheriff’s Office investigation generated enough evidence for them to obtain a search warrant, which they served on May 7, 2021. The defendant and a male co-defendant were present.

Investigators found two baggies of Methamphetamine totaling about 34 grams, hundreds of smaller baggies for distributing the drug, cash, and digital scales.

In Head’s bodycam footage, the defendant states the drugs are hers and. “there ain’t no more to find, you found it all.” She further explains that although she had originally bought a larger quantity, some of it had already been sold.

Basford thanked the BCSO investigators for the thoroughness of their case and the strong evidence they gathered.

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Two arrested in thefts of truck doors

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the apprehension of two men who they believe are responsible for the theft of doors from large heavy-duty commercial trucks in Florida and Alabama, including twice in Bay County.

On Feb. 27, the BCSO was contacted by the owner of A-1 Septic. The doors had been stolen off two pump trucks. The doors were valued at $3,000 each. The entire theft was valued at $12,000. Labor costs to fix the pump trucks would add another $4,000. Then on March 4, Sapps Land Excavation in Jackson County had truck doors, headlights and air-breathers stolen. 

By using investigative techniques, BCSO Criminal Investigations was able to identify a gray van that was in the area of the two businesses at the same time the thefts occurred. Investigators learned the van was travelling to south Florida in between thefts and sometimes into Alabama. The BCSO reached out to FDLE, FHP, the Panama City Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in South Florida for assistance.

On March 16, Johnston’s Trucking on Hwy 20 in Bay County was hit and doors stolen. It was learned a black van was involved in this theft in Bay County. The gray van was in south Florida. The gray van was registered to Rainel Hernandez Vigoa and the black van was registered to a family member of Vigoa. On Sunday, March 26, the gray van and the black van were stopped outside of Tallahassee on I-10. Arrested were Rainel Hernandez Vigoa, age 39, and Ramon Fernandez, age 56. Vigoa had a warrant out of Louisiana and is currently in the Jackson County Jail for the theft that occurred at Sapps Land Excavation. A warrant has been issued for him in Bay County and he will be extradited to Bay County for the thefts that occurred in Bay County. Fernandez is currently in the Bay County Jail, has gone to First Appearance and has a $150,000 bond for a charge of Grand Theft from the BCSO involving the theft of the truck doors. Additional charges are expected for Vigoa and Fernandez. Additional arrests are also expected as the investigation continues.

Sheriff Tommy Ford would like to thank the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Panama City Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office for their valuable assistance.

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Man sets meeting up with child,

instead meets law enforcement

BAY COUNTY – On March 31, a Bay County man was arrested on charges of Traveling to Meet A Minor For Sexual Activity and Soliciting A Minor For Sexual Acts Via An Internet Device.

Investigators posing online as a child, were contacted by Elias Serverino, 50, of Panama City. Over the course of two days, Serverino communicated online with someone he believed was a child and solicited the child to engage in sexual activity. During the communications, Severino established a meeting spot and time to meet the “child”. Instead, Severino met with law enforcement and was taken into custody when he arrived. A newly purchased box of condoms was located in his vehicle. Serverino was taken to the Bay County Jail to await first appearance on said charges.

This case should serve as another reminder to parents to be vigilant about monitoring children’s internet use, as well as their phones, tablets and computers. Had Serverino not made contact with law enforcement, he could have easily made contact with an actual child.

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BAY COUNTY – On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a stabbing at 620 Colonial Dr. in the Callaway area. When deputies arrived, two victims were found with stab wounds and were transported to a local hospital. One of the victims, Shirley Whittle, 71, later succumbed to her injuries. The second victim is still in the hospital and listed in stable but critical condition.

The Whittle’s grandson, Theron Whittle, 25, was identified as the suspect in stabbing his grandparents and taken into custody shortly after the arrival of deputies on the scene.  Investigators from the BCSO Criminal Investigations Division and Crime Scene Unit also responded to assist in processing the scene and conducting interviews. After an interview, Theron Whittle was booked into the Bay County Jail, charged with an open count of Murder.  As of this time, the investigation is continuing and further charges are expected against Whittle. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BAY COUNTY – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshal Service, Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force would like to announce the arrest of 66-year-old James Edward Rogers of Youngstown on March 9, 2023. Rogers was wanted in the State of Georgia for the offenses of rape, incest, sexual exploitation of a minor and child molestation. The USMS Task Force members working with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received information that Rogers had fled Georgia and was in the Panama City area.  

Investigators were able to determine Rogers was staying at the residence on 5934 Pitti Lane and on the morning of March 9th began surveillance of the residence. A vehicle was observed leaving, while following this vehicle, surveillance units observed Rogers to be a passenger. A traffic stop was conducted and Rogers was placed under arrest without incident. Rogers is currently being held in the Bay County Jail pending extradition to the State of Georgia. 

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Operation nets more than five pounds

meth, four handguns and five arrests

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division concluded an investigation on March 7, with the arrest of an active Methamphetamine supplier in Bay County and four others believed involved. After the investigation began, Devan McDonald, age 28, of Callaway, was developed as the main suspect. It was believed that McDonald was importing large amounts of Methamphetamine into the Bay County area.  

While investigating McDonald, another subject involved in methamphetamine distribution was identified as Kyle James, 38, of Youngstown. This led investigators to conduct a traffic stop on James. A probable cause search was done on James’s vehicle. This search resulted in the recovery of approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and two handguns.  

Continuing the operation, investigators located McDonald in the Callaway area. Investigators attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by McDonald. McDonald proceeded to ram his vehicle into a law enforcement vehicle and fled from the traffic stop. A vehicle pursuit began and McDonald was successfully apprehended a short distance away. After McDonald was in custody, a search of his vehicle resulted in the recovery of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.  Investigators then served search warrants on two different addresses they had observed McDonald stay. The first residence, 121 Big Oak Lane was searched and a handgun and more methamphetamine was recovered. Investigators learned that this residence was used to distribute the methamphetamine. Located and arrested at the home was Glenn Richards, age 33, Marshall Webb, age 57 and Brittany Wilson, age 32.   The second residence, 6516 Cherry Street, was also searched. This home is where McDonald lived. Investigators recovered more methamphetamine, approximately ten thousand dollars and Buprenorphine strips.  In total this investigation led to the seizure of more than five pounds of methamphetamine, four handguns and the arrest of five individuals.

•McDonald was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine (more than 400 grams), Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent, Unlawful use of a Two-Way Communication Device, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  

•James was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine (more than 400 grams), Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 

•Richards was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine (more than 14 grams), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  

•Wilson was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine (more than 14 grams), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.   

•Webb was arrested for a warrant issued out of Franklin County for Violation of Probation.

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  Former PC employee sentenced to eight years 

Michael Johnson pleads no contest and

makes full restitution of cash and property

BAY COUNTY – Panama City’s former community development director pled no contest to Grand Theft, Money Laundering and 19 counts of Official Misconduct Thursday and was sentenced to 8 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge Timothy Register accepted the plea and handed down the sentence in the case prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Overstreet. “Actions like these where the public trust is violated simply will not be tolerated,” Basford said. “The defendant was a government employee who used his position to enrich himself. Working with the Panama City Police Department throughout the investigation we were able to prepare a case that was strong enough that the defendant is not only being punished, but the stolen funds are being recovered.”

The plea was predicated upon the 62-year-old defendant surrendering $113,000 found on his property by the FBI, surrendering money he funneled into his personal bank account, and returning properties and vehicles he bought with stolen funds. He also must forfeit his City retirement plans.

Overstreet said the evidence showed the defendant had control of an account at Hancock Bank for the Friends of After School Assistance Program, Inc., since 2012.  The defendant diverted approximately $470,000 intended to be used for the City’s After School Assistance Program (ASAP) to his personal account for his own use. ASAP offers learning opportunities to low-income youths and their families who are at-risk of educational failure and who need a safe haven after-school program. “Panama City investigators contacted us early on and what we found is that the defendant used the money to purchase a number of vehicles and properties within the city,” Overstreet said.  “It was egregious. He clearly redirected public funds to himself over a number of years, tried to hide it, and for justice to be served he now has to pay a price.”

Basford credited the Panama City Police Department and city officials for their investigation when the fraud was brought to their attention, as well as involving the SAO early on so the agencies and the FBI could work in concert on a complicated financial case and ultimately recover the stolen funds.

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30 year sentence for Fentanyl trafficker

BAY COUNTY – A Panama City woman found guilty as charged of trafficking in fentanyl was sentenced to 30 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A Bay County jury found Danielle Michelle Cooper, 38, guilty of trafficking in fentanyl (14 grams or more but less than 20 grams), and possession of paraphernalia. Prosecutor Frank Sullivan said the 30-year sentence handed down by Circuit Court Judge Timothy Register following the verdict was the maximum. The first 15 years are minimum-mandatory. “Fentanyl is poisoning our community and we are committed to prosecuting these cases and getting it off our streets,” said Sullivan, who also credited the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for the evidence it gathered.

Sullivan called four witnesses and presented evidence proving the defendant was in possession of more than 14 grams of fentanyl when case agent Phillip Hill and deputies served a search warrant on her home Oct. 9, 2021. It was Hill who was wearing a GoPro camera that would provide crucial evidence. Hill was the first witness and testified deputies had a search warrant in hand and were waiting for the defendant to return home. When she pulled into the driveway, so did deputies, who identified themselves. Hill testified he saw the defendant throw a plastic baggie out of the driver’s window. A GoPro body camera he was wearing captured that sequence of events, and the video was played for jurors. Sullivan was able to freeze-frame the video and capture an image of the baggie in the air. It was recovered and found to contain fentanyl.

Former Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jasmin Clack, now with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, testified she searched the defendant after she was taken into custody and found two more baggies containing fentanyl in her bra.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its continued pursuit of drug traffickers and the strong evidence in this case.

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Man arrested after stealing vehicle, fleeing

MARIANNA – On Sunday, Feb. 26, around 9:40 p.m., a deputy attempted a traffic stop on a pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed near Greenwood. The driver of the pickup truck, Ethan Brice Pitts, fled from the deputy on Highway 162 before turning into a field and running over a locked gate. The truck was then turned off and abandoned in the field. 

During the investigation, it was discovered that Pitts had stolen the vehicle from an address outside of Marianna. Deputies established a perimeter, and the K-9 Tracking Unit was deployed. After an approximate 1.5-mile track, Pitts was found and taken into custody. 

The owner of the vehicle told law enforcement that his gun was also inside the vehicle when it was taken, and it was later found inside the vehicle. Further investigation showed that Pitts’ driving privileges have been revoked, and he is a convicted felon.

Ethan Brice Pitts was arrested and is being charged with fleeing/eluding law enforcement, driving while license revoked, felon in possession of ammunition, grand theft of a motor vehicle and grand theft of a firearm. 

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Man convicted of setting house on

fire, fighting responding officers

PARKER – A Parker man who witnesses heard muttering he set a house on fire because his gas can “was his only weapon” was found guilty as charged, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Lance Allan Johnson, 64, was found guilty of second-degree arson, resisting an officer with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer after about an hour of deliberations. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark set sentencing for March 1. Prosecutor Dustin Miller said the day of the arson started with the defendant calling a news outlet and making a threat to commit violence. “He followed that up later in the day by setting his residence on fire and striking a deputy who was attempting to arrest him,” Miller said. “Thursday, a Bay County jury held him accountable for his actions.  “The State takes these crimes seriously and I am proud of all the work from the multiple agencies on this case,” Miller continued. “A guilty verdict wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of law enforcement.”

Miller called nine witnesses, including Parker and Springfield police as well as Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were involved in the arrest and investigation. The evidence included pictures of the structure, which was destroyed by the fire. The testimony and evidence proved the defendant started a fire in the rear bedroom of the Ethlyn Road structure on March 11. Two witnesses saw the defendant leaving the residence at the time of the fire and heard him saying, “the gas can was his only weapon, to let (the structure) burn.”

A BCSO deputy testified he tried to take the defendant, who had an outstanding warrant, into custody but he resisted, pulled away and then struck him in the chest with his elbow. Basford pointed out the collaboration between the various agencies is an example of the area’s public safety work ethic and results in prosecutors having a stronger case to prosecute.

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  Man guilty of 15 sex charges against child,

Defendant given 4 consecutive Life sentences

BAY COUNTY – A Bay County man found guilty of repeatedly sexually battering and molesting a child was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Jacob Lee Hudson, 40, was found guilty Tuesday of four counts of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12, ten counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of lewd or lascivious conduct. Circuit Judge Shonna Young Gay gave the defendant Life in prison on each of the sexual battery charges, 25 years minimum-mandatory on each of the lewd or lascivious molestation charges and five years on the final offense. The four life sentences are to be served consecutively, while the remaining charges will be served concurrently with the first life sentence. Hudson had previously been sentenced to seven years in prison for a 2004 lewd and lascivious conduct conviction.

Prosecutor Barbara Beasley presented witnesses and evidence proving that Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called on Aug. 1, 2019, after a woman found out the defendant had been buying the victim gifts. Deputy Sean Simonson, who responded to the call, talked to the woman about her suspicions and then made contact with the defendant. Simonson testified the defendant stated, “I’m not admitting or denying anything.” The child was interviewed and examined by members of the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center Child Protection Team the same day and it was determined she had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. The defendant was arrested that night. “This was really good work by Deputy Simonson because when he asked the defendant if he had anything to say and got that response, he immediately put that in his report and documented it and was able to testify to it,” Beasley said. “It helped give credibility to the allegations both early in the investigation and during trial.”

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its handling of the initial call and investigation and the GCCAC for its role and handling of the victim’s interview.

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   Man guilty of trafficking, possessing

Methamphetamine Washington County

CHIPLEY – A man snared by the Washington County Drug Task Force in 2021 was found guilty Tuesday of possessing and trafficking in methamphetamine, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A Washington County jury needed only 17 minutes to find William Lowell Rogers, 50, of Chipley, guilty as charged of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Sell. Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson set sentencing for March 27.

Under Florida’s drug sentencing laws, the defendant faces a minimum mandatory seven year sentence and up to 30 years in addition to a $100,000 find on the Trafficking conviction.  Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford called four witnesses and presented evidence proving that the Washington County Drug Task Force and Washington County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant on the defendant’s home Sept. 12, 2021. The search warrant came after a series of controlled buys at the home by law enforcement.

Testimony and evidence showed that the defendant the only person in the home denied there were any drugs there. But the search turned up 37 grams of methamphetamine.

Basford thanked Washington County authorities for the task force’s work and the strong case put together for prosecution.

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  Fentanyl trafficker sentenced to 10 years

BAY COUNTY – A  jury took 19 minutes Friday to find a woman guilty as charged of trafficking in fentanyl and heroin, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Stephanie Anne Hoskins, 55, of Panama City Beach, was found guilty of Trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams or more), Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (4 grams or more), and Possession of Paraphernalia. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison, with a minimum-mandatory three years under Florida’s drug sentencing statutes. She was also fined $100,000.

Prosecutor Josh James called three witnesses and put on evidence proving the defendant and her roommate were under investigation for selling drugs by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division in June, 2021.  A Department of Corrections probation officer conducted a walk-through of the home June 28, 2021, and found a methamphetamine pipe.

The defendant and co-defendant both consented to a search, and Deputy Gage Cowart testified they recovered 6.02 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture. The defendant admitted to deputies that they were “cutting” the heroin with fentanyl which is cheaper and stronger and dividing it into 20 packages of 1/3 gram each to increase their profit. “This is one of those cases where people think they are buying heroin but without their knowledge it’s laced with fentanyl,” James said. “And that’s extremely dangerous because fentanyl is a lot more potent and deadly than heroin and that is where the overdoses are happening.” The Centers for Disease Control lists fentanyl overdoses as the leading cause of death for Americans between 18-45 years of age. “A lot of those overdose deaths are a result of people thinking they’re buying heroin or meth when it’s secretly laced with fentanyl,” James said. “Dealers do it for a larger profit margin while putting people at risk.”

Basford credited the Sheriff’s Office for its work seeking out fentanyl dealers and helping to get them off the streets.

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 Man receives guilty verdict, 30-year

sentence for Fentanyl trafficker

BAY COUNTY – The State put on two witnesses and entered 18 pieces of evidence, but it was a few minutes of video and the defendant’s own statements that helped a jury reach a guilty verdict in only seven minutes Thursday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Charles Kevin Dawson, Jr., was found guilty of Trafficking in Fentanyl (four grams or more but less than 14 grams), Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Amphetamines/Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Sentencing followed the verdict, and Prosecutor Frank Sullivan noted the defendant’s criminal record, which includes a Sexual Battery in 2008 and Failure to Register as a Sexual Predator. “I would point out obviously that the defendant has a criminal history that includes a previous capital offense,” Sullivan said to Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark. “The State is asking for the maximum on the Trafficking in Fentanyl.”

Judge Clark agreed, sentencing the defendant to 30 years on the Trafficking charge and 5 years each on the other drug charges, to be served concurrently with the Trafficking sentence. The defendant was given time served on the paraphernalia charge. Sullivan presented witnesses and evidence that proved the defendant was in possession of a variety of drugs when Bay County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jeremy Head led a team serving a search warrant on his room at a Youngstown hotel Feb. 18, 2021. Video from a GoPro camera showed the entry into the room, where deputies could see 2 Crown Royal bags in plain sight on the bed. The defendant and a woman were in the room, and the defendant quickly told deputies the woman “doesn’t know anything about this.”

The two were taken out of the room and during a search deputies found drugs in the Crown Royal bags and other places, including a plate underneath the bed. They also found mail addressed to the defendant at that address. “What this case is going to come down to is did the defendant possess the drugs? It’s as simple as that,” Sullivan told jurors in his closing argument. “Ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t a complex case. There isn’t a lot of different pieces of evidence. But what there is proves the defendant is guilty.”

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  Caylor sentenced to death for 2008

murder, sexual battery of a child

BAY COUNTY – For the second time in 13 years, Matthew Lee Caylor was sentenced to death Thursday for the 2008 murder and sexual battery of a 13-year-old girl in a Panama City motel, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson issued the sentence with a 13-page Sentencing Order that concluded, “The Court finds that the aggravating factors in this case far outweigh the mitigating circumstances.”

The defendant was convicted of First-Degree Murder, Sexual Battery Involving Great Physical Force, and Aggravated Child Abuse in Oct., 2009 and sentenced to death by an eight-four jury vote. The case was one of dozens across the state where new sentencing hearings were ordered after a 2016 Florida Supreme Court ruling that death sentences required unanimous votes. “I originally prosecuted and convicted the defendant 13 and a half years ago and I remember well the agony caused by his horrific actions,” Basford said. “I also remember the tireless efforts of the Panama City Police Department and others to investigate and solve this case. In 2009 a Bay County jury and Judge Dedee Costello decided that death was the appropriate sentence for sexually battering and killing this child.  “Judge Patterson, after reviewing the records and hearing all the other relevant evidence has also found that the death sentence was and is proper in this case,” Basford continued. “I agree.”

The victim, 13, and her family were living in a westside hotel where the defendant also was staying. Evidence and witnesses at the 2009 trial proved Caylor sexually battered the victim in his room and then strangled her to death. He hid her body under the bed, where it was found two days later.

The defendant was already in custody on an unrelated charge and admitted to the crimes.

The defendant was granted a new sentencing hearing in 2017. Prior to the second penalty phase, the defendant waived his right to a jury for the sentencing hearing, meaning the judge would determine the sentence based on the evidence.

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  Man guilty of sexually battering,

impregnating child sentenced to Life

A man found guilty Tuesday of sexual battery upon a child multiple times and impregnating her was sentenced to Life in prison Wednesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Nadir Al Bashir, 49, of Panama City, was found guilty of three counts of Sexual Battery Upon a child 12 years of age or older. A jury took 11 minutes to find him guilty of sexually battering the 12 year old victim both before and after he impregnated her. Circuit Judge Brantley Clark sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences.

Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Lieb presented witnesses and evidence from the victim’s family, the Panama City Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE analyst Jennifer Wilkerson testified that DNA samples from the defendant, the victim, and the baby showed a 99.99% likelihood that the defendant was the father. During the cross-examination of the defendant, Lieb asked him if he had had sex with the victim when she was 12 years old.  The defendant admitted he had but said he believed it was legal after he researched the law.  “So, you decided to have sex with a 12-year-old child. Based on your research you decided to have sex with a 12-year-old child multiple times?” Lieb asked the defendant.  The defendant replied that “Y’all don’t get it.”

“The State has called witnesses, including the victim, who have testified about what this defendant did to this child,” Lieb told jurors in her closing argument. “But there’s no doubting that it happened thanks to the DNA because the FDLE was able to show that half the child’s DNA profile comes from the defendant. This man forced her into a situation that no 12 or 13 year old is prepared for, becoming pregnant and having a child to care for.” “We believe life is the appropriate sentence in this case based on the nature of these crimes and the defendant’s own testimony.”  Lieb stated at sentencing.  “This defendant will always be a danger to the children in our community. He doesn’t believe the law applies to him and he doesn’t think he has done anything wrong, he has shown no remorse.”

The defendant told the judge, when speaking about the crime, that he “didn’t force nobody to do that” and that it was just something that happened and that he is not a danger to children. The victim also spoke to Judge Clark at sentencing. “It has affected me every day of my life since I was a child,” the victim said in a soft voice, adding it has negatively affected her relationships with others, caused pain in her family and led her to being homeless and without her child for a period of time.

After sentencing the victim said it felt like a weight had been lifted off of her and that she could finally breathe.  

Basford thanked the Panama City Police Department and assisting agencies for their work on the case.

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  Strickland guilty in 2020 murder

offender sentenced to life in prison

BAY COUNTY – Charles Wesley Strickland was sentenced to Life in prison Thursday for the brutal 2020 beating death of Clifford Matthew Lowrey at a homeless camp near the beach, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A jury took about 90 minutes to return verdicts of guilty as charged against Strickland, 58, for Second-Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Evidence and testimony presented at the two-day trial showed Lowrey died from multiple blows to the head, face, and body with a steel rebar.

Bay County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Graham asked Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark to impose the maximum sentence, citing the defendant’s lengthy criminal history and the violent nature of the murder. “He has been violent for a while,” Graham said at sentencing, noting 9 convictions of battery among his past charges. “This was, in my career, probably one of the most vicious beatings I’ve seen.”

Judge Clark agreed, sentencing the defendant to life. During the trial, Graham noted for jurors the number of officers involved from the Panama City Beach Police Department and the hundreds of hours of video they reviewed, the three days they spent at the crime scene in the woods near a retention pond, and the mountains of evidence they gathered.

The evidence included a videotaped “walk-through” of the crime scene with Panama City Beach Police Chief J.R. Talamantez and the co-defendant who admitted to helping move the body. It was filmed the day she was picked up for questioning. “It was all hands on deck, they took this seriously,” Graham said. “This case shows that the laws apply as equally to our homeless citizens as they do to our most affluent.”

Testimony and evidence at trial proved the defendant, the victim and co-defendant Samantha Booth were at a spot in the woods near a retention pond where several homeless people had set up tents and makeshift living quarters on Nov. 5, 2020. Booth has already pled to Accessory After the Fact to Second-Degree Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Her sentence will be determined by the judge and could range from 39 months to 20 years.

Booth testified there had been some arguing amongst the group and that was not unusual. She said when things had calmed, the defendant left his chair, went to an area set up to play horseshoes, and returned with a rebar that was used as a post in the game. She testified the victim was sitting in a chair looking at his phone and “never saw it coming” when the defendant came up behind him and swung the metal rebar like a baseball bat, hitting him in the head. Her testimony and the findings of Dr. Jay Radtke, Chief Medical Examiner for the 14^th Judicial Circuit, showed the beating continued with at least 10 blows to the head and more to the body. Radtke testified the victim likely would have been dead or unconscious after the first blow. Booth testified that afterward, the defendant threatened her and made her help him move the body, where he partially buried it.

The defendant took the stand and claimed it was Booth and another woman who beat the victim to death while he watched and he was helpless to stop them, but that was not supported by the evidence and discounted by jurors.

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