A woman who claimed she and a male friend were forced to take possession of 48 grams of methamphetamine by an out-of-town dealer was found guilty Wednesday of trafficking in the drug.
State Attorney Larry Basford announced Kayla Klein, 26, was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 28 grams but less than 200). Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young set sentencing for July 18.
Prosecutor Jeff Moore said under Florida’s enhanced drug penalty statutes, Klein faces a minimum-mandatory sentence of 7 years. The charge is a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years.
“This should send a strong message to people bringing in drugs from out of town to sell here that it is not a game, it will change the course of your life,” Moore said. “The Legislature recognizes the threat posed by these poisons being on our streets, and our law enforcement agencies are focused on removing that threat. We will continue to work with them and used these enhanced penalties to prosecute these cases and keep our streets safe.”
Moore and Prosecutor Morgan Morrell called 6 witnesses, ranging from the Panama City Police Department investigators to the co-defendant.
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The testimony and evidence showed that Panama City police were about to serve a search warrant on a West 21st Place residence on May 23, 2024, when Klein and a male friend pulled into the driveway. Police served the warrant and found 48 grams of methamphetamine in a bag inside that car. Also in the bag was a letter addressed to the defendant.
She eventually admitted to police she traveled to Pensacola to buy drugs. But she said the dealer pulled a gun on her and a male friend, took her friend’s money, and gave them the black bag with 48 grams of meth. He demanded, she said, that they sell it and bring him back the money.
The two drove back to Panama City. The next day they went to the West 21st Place address hoping to buy fentanyl and got caught up in the search warrant.
“They were in the right place at the wrong time,” Moore said.
Basford thanked Panama City police for their proactive work in the case and the statements they gathered from the defendants.