Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on October 3, 2018, a six-member Bay County jury found Delvin Dawson guilty as charged of Trafficking in MDA 10 Grams or More, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Evidence presented at trial proved that on June 3, 2016, a Panama City Police Officer noticed an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from room 117 of the Howard Johnson motel. The officer conducted an investigation. During the investigation, the officer noticed short-stay traffic visiting room 117 and a male matching the description of Dawson answering the door.
Eventually, the officer approached room 117 and conducted a knock-and-talk with the occupant. Dawson was the sole occupant of room 117. The officer noticed marijuana on the table inside of the room. He placed Dawson under arrest, and a search incident to arrest revealed 17.8 grams of cocaine in Dawson’s left front pocket.
After being placed under arrest and read his Miranda rights, Dawson consented to a search of the room. A search of the room revealed two digital scales with residue, multiple sandwich baggies, over 800 grams of marijuana, a loaded firearm, and 17.2 grams of MDA. Dawson was transported to the Bay County Jail after the search of the room.
Dawson was informed if he had any other items on his person to turn them over prior to intake at the Bay County Jail. However, while at the jail, an officer noticed Dawson acting suspicious and he could detect the odor of fresh marijuana coming from his person. The officer searched Dawson and ultimately discovered marijuana in Dawson’s underwear.
The cocaine and MDA were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. The tests revealed the substances were in fact controlled substances and the MDA was over the threshold weight for trafficking per Florida Statute.
The jury deliberated for a little over two hours before returning a verdict of guilty as charged on all counts. Dawson faces up to 55 years in the Department of Corrections. Circuit Judge Brantley Clark, Jr. will sentence Dawson on October 16, 2018. Assistant State Attorneys Alyssa Yarbrough and Cord Grimes prosecuted the case with the help of the Panama City Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.