A Jackson County man found with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in his car after being pulled over for speeding was found guilty Friday and sentenced to 20 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford said.
Frank Edwin Stone, 58, of Alford, was found guilty as charged of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 28 grams). A jury deliberated about 20 minutes after closing arguments by Prosecutors Ryan Phillips and Christopher Walters.
Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson sentenced the defendant to 20 years, with the first 7 years being minimum-mandatory under Florida’s enhanced drug trafficking laws.
“Methamphetamine trafficking continues to pose a serious threat to our community,” Phillips said. “Traffickers and users alike are often linked to a range of other crimes, including weapons offenses, assaults, and thefts, committed either to sustain addiction or protect illegal operations. These cases frequently involve dangerous situations and unpredictable behavior, making the role of law enforcement all the more critical.”
Phillips said the BCSO investigators involved in the case demonstrated exceptional work and professionalism.
“Our objective is to continue to disrupt the flow of methamphetamine into our community and deter those who would profit from its distribution,” he said.
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Sheriff’s Office investigators said the defendant was speeding on U.S. 231 May 24, 2023, and initially stopped just north of Fountain. But they said he took off again and turned onto Owenwood Road before stopping again.
Investigators testified the defendant was uncooperative and evasive. Inv. Doug Cummings deployed his K9, “Fila,” for a free-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. Fila alerted to the odor of narcotics. A search turned up several baggies of methamphetamine, the two largest weighed about 28 grams and 20 grams respectively.
Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for continuing to make cases before large quantities of drugs hit the streets.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.