Man who failed to appear for drug trafficking trial convicted in absentia, given 30 years - Larry Basford

Quantavious Fuller, upper left, was found guilty of drug trafficking and as of July 16 was a fugitive.

A man who failed to appear for his own trial Friday for drug trafficking was found guilty as charged and sentenced to 30 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford said.

Quantavious Geraud Fuller, 44, of Panama City, was present Monday, July 8, when a jury was picked to hear his case for Trafficking In Illegal Drugs (14 grams or more), Destruction of or Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested him Oct. 5, 2021, and said he was in possession of more than 28 grams, but less than 30 kilos, of heroin.

But when it was time for trial and opening arguments from Prosecutor Frank Sullivan Friday, the defendant was nowhere to be found. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark ordered that the trial move forward without the defendant present. A warrant for his arrest was issued and as of Monday, July 16, the defendant was still being sought.

“Heroin is a dangerous drug that has devastated communities across the country,” Sullivan said. “Its investigations, prosecutions, and sentences like these that have helped decrease our local drug overdose rate by 65 percent over the last few years, compared to the national average of 3 percent.”

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Quantavious Fuller.

Prosecutor Frank Sullivan, shown here in an earlier trial, tried the defendant in absentia Friday.

Sullivan called two witnesses – BCSO Inv. Phillip Hill, who was the case agent, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyst Stephanie Spiegle. Their testimony and the evidence shown to jurors proved that on Oct. 5, 2021, deputies served a search warrant on the defendant’s Panama City residence.

The defendant was found inside. Investigators also found a toilet clogged with plastic baggie someone had attempted to flush. The baggie was recovered and found to contain a large amount of a substance that tested positive for heroin.

Testimony showed the defendant flushed the baggie after deputies knocked on the door and announced their presence.

Jurors took about 40 minutes to return guilty verdicts. The trafficking charge is a First-Degree Felony. Judge Clark ordered a 30-year sentence, with a 15-year minimum-mandatory under Florida’s enhanced trafficking statutes.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its proactive work in getting a large amount of opiates before they could be sold on the street.

Quantavious Fuller is described as a black male, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 850-747-4700 or Panhandle CrimeSTOPPERS at 850-785-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.

For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.