PRESS RELEASE
The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on July 7, 2021, a Bay County jury convicted 37-year-old Joseph Irwin of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Grand Theft of a Firearm.
Evidence presented at trial proved that the victim was traveling from Daytona Beach to Bay County with the Defendant and her two minor children when the Defendant began acting erratic. At some point during the drive, the Defendant demanded that she stop the car so that he could use the bathroom. He removed her Ruger .380 from her locked glove compartment without her permission and, while outside the car, fired a single shot. When they reached 11th Street and School Avenue, the Defendant got out of the car with the gun and began waving the gun around stating that the victim was trying to have him killed. He refused to get back into the car and was left on 11th Street and School Avenue with the loaded gun in his possession.
The jury deliberated for only 7 minutes before finding Irwin guilty as charged on all counts. Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2021, before the Honorable Brantley Clark, Jr, where the Defendant faces a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Springfield Police Department with assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Parker Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lynelle Dowe and Jennifer Lieb.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.