Author: Admin SA

Brandt Convicted of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm

Posted on by Admin SA

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, a Bay County jury convicted William Cooper Brandt of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.

Evidence presented at trial proved that in the early morning hours of June 2-3, 2020, the victim encountered the Defendant at the Cooks Motel. The Defendant told the victim he was homeless and needed a place to stay. The victim invited the Defendant into his motel room to freshen up and get something to eat. Once inside, the Defendant asked the victim for some money to help him out. The victim went into the bathroom to get some money out of his wallet in private and upon exiting the bathroom, the Defendant began beating him with the butt of a very large handgun. When the victim found an opportunity to escape, he fled to the front office for help. Within minutes, BCSO Deputy David Jones saw the Defendant walking across the road with the firearm in his hand and detained him.
This case was investigated by Cpl. Jacob McGowin with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Barbara Beasley and Jacob Cook.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 5, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Ana Maria Garcia. The Defendant faces a 10-year mandatory prison sentence under the 10/20/Life law because he used a firearm during the commission of the aggravated battery.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Fogarty Convicted of Sexual Battery on a Helpless Person

Posted on by Admin SA

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on June 18, 2021, a Bay County jury deliberated for 25 minutes before finding Michael Vincent Fogarty guilty as charged of Sexual Battery on a Helpless Person.

The testimony and evidence presented at trial proved that the victim was found by her fiancé unconscious with her clothes askew in the early morning hours of April 1, 2017. After being rushed to the ER, a sexual assault exam was performed with the victims consent. The DNA swabs collected from the victim came back implicating the Defendant with the sexual battery, at which time he was charged when the crime.

The case was investigated by Cpl. Preston Allyn and the Panama City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Lynelle Dowe. The Defendant faces up to 30 years in the department of corrections, and is scheduled for sentencing July 23rd before the Honorable Judge Dustin Stephenson.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Horne Convicted of Kidnapping, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and Grand Theft Motor Vehicle

Posted on by Admin SA

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on June 9, 2021, a Bay County jury convicted 36 year-old Adam Keith Horne of Kidnapping, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and Grand Theft Motor Vehicle.

Evidence presented at trial included testimony from the then 80-year-old victim who told the jury she offered Horne and his girlfriend, Rachel Price, a ride when they said their friends had left them at Walmart in Panama City Beach. After getting in the car, Horne pulled a knife on the victim and held it to her throat. Even though the victim offered to give them the car, they would not let her go. When the victim had to stop for gas, she was able to get away. Horne and his girlfriend went on to steal a vehicle from another victim and were eventually caught in that vehicle. Recordings of Horne speaking with law enforcement officers were also presented at trial during which Horne admitted to holding the victim hostage. DNA evidence also linked Horne to the knife recovered from the victim’s car. Horne’s girlfriend, Rachel Price, had previously been convicted at trial of her charges arising from these same acts.

The jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes before finding Horne guilty as charged on all counts. Sentencing is scheduled for July 1, 2021, before the Honorable Brantley S. Clark, Jr, where Horne faces a sentence of life in prison. The case was investigated by Panama City Beach Police Department with assistance from Bay County Sheriff’s Office and FDLE. It was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Jennifer Lieb and Lynelle Dowe.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Kristina Kay Heming found guilty of Grand Theft Over $100,000

Posted on by Admin SA

Press Release:

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on May 14, 2021, a Bay County jury found Kristina Kay Heming guilty of Grand Theft Over $100,000.

Evidence presented at trial proved that between January 2014 and January 2017, while working for Emerald View Association Management, the defendant, who was in charge of the company’s books and finances, managed to steal nearly half a million dollars by giving herself extra paychecks, by using company credit and bank cards for personal purchases, and by misappropriating over $200,000 in cash. Thousands of pages of bank statements, credit card statements, bank account records, as well as the company books, showed that in all, the defendant embezzled over $440,000 from Emerald View Association Management.

Sentencing is set for May 28, 2021, before Circuit Judge Dustin Stephenson, and the defendant faces up to a maximum 30 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Frank Sullivan and Lynelle Dowe.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Dustin Miller Joins the State Attorney’s Office

Posted on by Admin SA

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that Dustin Miller has joined the State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney.  Mr. Miller is a Marianna native who graduated from Chipola College before earning his Bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Florida.  Mr. Miller previously worked as a Legal Trainee in our Jackson County office before joining his family business as an Executive General Manager at Miller & Miller Dealer Group.  Mr. Miller has returned to the practice of law, and we are excited to welcome him to our team!

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

 

King Convicted of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm, Attempted Manslaughter with a Firearm (x 3), and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle

Posted on by Admin SA

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on April 28, 2021, a Bay County jury found Christopher Lee King guilty of Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, 3 Counts of Attempted Manslaughter by Act with a Firearm, and Shooting Deadly Missiles into an Occupied Vehicle.

Evidence presented at trial proved that the Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Callaway Heights 5 days after Hurricane Michael, to a report of a man shot.  The victim was found to have been shot in the back of the head and life flighted via helicopter to Fort Walton for trauma surgery.  The other 3 victims were King’s ex-wife and their two children, ages 3 and 5.  King was enraged when his ex-wife came over to pick up their kids after the Hurricane.  King demanded that the ex-wife not take the kids and retrieved his Glock 19 firearm.  After the children were loaded in the victim’s truck, King began shooting multiple rounds at the truck and 4 occupants inside.  One of his shots was to the driver, who was struck.  This shot narrowly missed his 3-year-old daughter. The truck then crashed into a ditch and struck a power pole.   The mother of the children was held at gunpoint and later ran off to call 911.  Thankfully, the children were not injured during the shooting or the crash.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Peter Overstreet and Jacob Cook.  Sentencing is set for May 13, 2021, before Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Holden Convicted of Possession of Methamphetamine and Paraphernalia, Resisting an Officer, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked

Posted on by Admin SA

The Office of the State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on April 27, 2021, a Jackson County jury convicted Anthony Holden of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, and Driving While License Suspended, Canceled, or Revoked.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on January 7, 2020, the Defendant, after being pulled over by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for a traffic infraction, immediately abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene. With a quick reaction by law enforcement, the Defendant was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. In the Defendant’s front right pocket, law enforcement located six (6) jeweler bags of methamphetamine.

The Defendant is currently on probation for Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and faces up to Life in prison.

Circuit Judge James Jefferson Goodman Jr. scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2021. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Lawrence Gill and Ben Keown.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Taylor Sentenced to 23 Years in Death of Infant Daughter

Posted on by Admin SA

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on April 23, 2021, Judge James J. Goodman, Jr., sentenced Lisette Taylor to 23 years Department of Corrections for her February 24, 2021, conviction of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child for the death of her 19-day old infant daughter in 2017.

Evidence presented at trial demonstrated a pattern of conduct whereby the defendant neglected the infant after ingesting a large amount of methamphetamine, staying up for 24 hours, and then co-sleeping with the 19-day old infant for over 10 hours in a post-methamphetamine crash, resulting in the child’s death.

The case was investigated by the Graceville Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  It was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Mark Graham and Benjamin Keown.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Sims Convicted of Drug Possession, Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Posted on by Admin SA

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on April 21, 2021, a Gulf County jury convicted Storm Sims of Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Heroin, Possession  of over 20 grams of Marijuana, Flee to Elude Law Enforcement, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on December 12, 2018, Sgt. Shane Ferrell and Deputy Matthew Peek with the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on the Defendant, who fled while the deputies pursued him with lights and siren activated. The Defendant jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. The vehicle he was driving continued until it was stopped by trees. The Defendant was apprehended in the woods a short time later by Sgt. Shane Ferrell.
After the Defendant was taken into custody, the vehicle was searched and a large quantity of drugs and over $470,000.00 in cash was found as well as a loaded 9 mm firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Tracy Smith. Sentencing is scheduled before Circuit Judge Shonna Young Gay on May 4, 2021.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

Tipton Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Possession of Paraphernalia

Posted on by Admin SA
Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on April 21, 2021, a Bay County jury found Richard Daniel Tipton guilty as charged of Trafficking in Amphetamines, Trafficking in Illegal Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
At trial, the State presented evidence that Investigator Gage Cowart with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop the defendant after witnessing the defendant riding a bicycle at night without any lights or reflectors, and  failing to yield to the pedestrian signals while crossing Thomas Drive. The defendant failed to stop for the officer and instead rode his bike into a park where he was seen throwing items towards the nearby pond. After the defendant was secured, law enforcement scanned the area and found two baggies that contained methamphetamine and one baggie that contained heroin. The methamphetamine weighed approximately 30 grams, and the heroin weighed approximately 5 grams. The State is seeking to have the defendant sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender because of his prior criminal record. Judge Ana Garcia will sentence Tipton at a later date.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Barbara F. Beasley.
If you need additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.