Devin Collier, a prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office, has been chosen by Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the 14th Judicial Circuit’s next judge.

DeSantis Tuesday afternoon announced that Collier will fill the opening created by the retirement of Circuit Judge John Fishel, II.

“I’m grateful and humbled, and I appreciate the confidence the Governor and his staff and our community has placed in me,” Collier said. “It was an absolute surprise. I come from very simple beginnings and never had I imagined that I would be in a position to be a Circuit Judge.”

Collier credited State Attorney Larry Basford, for mentoring him and helping him achieve his goals over the years.

“There’s no question in my mind that I would not be where I am but for Larry Basford,” he said. “He has, without equivocation, supported me from the time I was a young lawyer. I don’t know what he saw in me, but he saw something.

“He became my mentor, he pushed, he was tough at times, but always fair,” Collier continued. “And I owe a lot to Larry Basford.”

For Basford, who supported Collier’s efforts, it is rewarding to see a skilled and valued prosecutor who is community minded achieve higher goals.

“I know Devin to be a humble, compassionate man who is wise beyond his years,” Basford said. “The breadth of his experience in different areas of the law along with his work ethic will enable him to be an excellent judge.”

It’s also the second time in three months one of his top prosecutors has been appointed to a Circuit Judgeship, meaning there is room for other prosecutors to step into those roles.

In November, Brandon Young, the Chief Assistant State Attorney for Holmes County, was chosen by DeSantis to fill a Circuit judgeship created by the Legislature.

“We’re going to miss Devin just like we do Brandon,” Basford said. “I think the appointments of two of our top prosecutors to judgeships speaks to the character and integrity of the people we have at the State Attorney’s Office”

Collier will take office Feb. 1, handling Circuit felonies in Gulf County. The 14^th Judicial Circuit includes Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun and Jackson counties.

Collier case: Man sentenced to 25 years for shooting, killing girlfriend in condo

Collier case: Convicted murderer given life sentence

Collier was one of six local attorneys whose names were submitted to the governor for consideration in November. The others were Brian Hill, Shalla Jefcoat, Peter Overstreet, Jacqueline Smith, and Grant Spitzer.

Collier most recently rejoined the State Attorney’s Office in July as a felony prosecutor in the Major Crimes Division. He also served on the SAO’s Critical Incident Review Team made up of senior prosecutors and investigators to review major cases. Additionally, he also worked at the SAO from 2013-18 as a felony prosecutor and Division Chief in the Panama City office.

His past employment includes working with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, handling several counseling and litigation matters; offering legal counsel to the Bureau of Land Management relevant to its relocation to the West and representing the Department in the resulting Congressional inquiry; and working on the Employment and Labor Law Unit’s COVID-19 response team.

Other experience included working with the law firm of Barron and Redding, P.A., opening his own private law firm, and the Public Defender’s Office in the 2^nd Judicial Circuit as an Appellate Counsel.

Collier earned his Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, at the Florida A&M University College of Law, where he achieved the following: 2010 and 2011 Outstanding Law Review Staff Editor; National Employment Law Association Fellow; Dean’s Top Performer Scholarship Award; and Teaching Assistant for Civil Procedure I and II.

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

A judge sentenced Spencer Chase Pruitt to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Tori Busch, in Panama City Beach last year, agreeing that the defendant’s claim that it was an accident did not negate what happened.

“I believe I heard the term ‘accident,’ ‘terrible accident,’ ‘freak accident.’ Judge, this was no accident,” Prosecutor Devin Collier said to Circuit Judge Brantley Clark during sentencing Monday. “This defendant loaded a firearm … and he pointed it at Tori, right at her face, and he pulled the trigger in a twisted, sick, sinister version of Russian roulette that he played, and it cost this young lady her life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judge Clark agreed, saying that while the defendant was supported by family and friends, and showed remorse, “the mere fact of what happened stands out above everything else – he pointed a gun at someone and pulled the trigger.”

The defendant, 25, entered an open plea Manslaughter with a firearm, and faced between 10 and 30 years in prison.

OTHER NEWS: Shotgun-wielding felon awaits sentencing

Evidence showed that the defendant and a group of young adults were visiting Panama City Beach and that many of them had brought guns or knives. On the day of the shooting, Pruitt and at least one other person there were “brandishing their weapons” inside of the room and pointing them at each other.

Panama City Beach police Investigator Tiffany McCullough said in her arrest complaint – part of which was read in open court by Tori Busch’s mother, Kelly Busch – that his investigation showed Pruitt liked to play a game where he would partially put the magazine in a gun without allowing a bullet in the chamber. Then he would point the gun at a friend and pull the trigger.

Kelly Busch, with her husband Brian at her side and their son Anthony behind them, addressed the court during sentencing.

 

“Before Sept. 7, our family was happy and living in a protective little bubble, innocent and always together,” Busch said. “Now our family is in shock, and the whole world knows what he did to our family. We face a lifetime of denial, hurt, anger, broken hearts, and a gaping hole in our family where Tori should be.”

Busch asked Clark for the maximum sentence, saying it was not an accident, it was a choice by the defendant.

“Tori is now forever 19 because of one man’s very bad choice,” she said. “Nobody should have the power or control to end another human’s life in such a violent way when there was no threat to their own life. Our daughter deserves justice for having her entire adult life stolen from her.”

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

 

Sentencing for a man who had been out of prison less than two months when deputies were called to a disturbance involving him, a short-barreled shotgun and his grandmother is set for Jan. 21, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

William Walter Cambley, III, 29, was found guilty Dec. 8 of possession of a short-barreled shotgun and improper exhibition of a firearm after a day-long trial.

Prosecutor Lynelle Dowe is seeking to have Cambley sentenced as a Habitual Offender, which would enhance the penalties the defendant faces at sentencing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The defendant has previous convictions for sale/manufacture/distribution of Methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of ammunition and fleeing and attempting to elude with high speeds/reckless driving. He was released from prison on the latter charge Jan. 22, 2020, about 6 weeks before his arrest in this case.

RELATED NEWS: 6-minute guilty verdict, 3 life sentences for child sex abuser

RELATED NEWS: Contractor guilty of taking money, not performing hurricane repairs

At trial, Dowe and co-prosecutor Jacob Cook presented witnesses and evidence that after the defendant’s release from prison in 2020, he lived in a trailer on his grandmother’s property. During an argument March 5, 2020, testimony showed the defendant became angry and headed out the door, yelling at the dog while the victim attempted to retrieve it.

Testimony revealed the defendant grabbed a shotgun, “cocked” it, then pointed it in his grandmother’s direction while saying there were three shells in the gun – one for her, one for the dog and one for his mother.

BCSO Sgt Edward Jared Turner was first on the scene, followed by former Bay County Sheriff’s Deputy Montrez Potter and Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Matthew Gore.

According to testimony, a perimeter was established, a K-9 was deployed, Cambley was found and arrested, and the K-9 also found the shotgun. BCSO Cpl. Matthew Kutcher test-fired the shotgun and testified it was operable.

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

 

Jurors needed only 6 minutes Thursday to find Bruce Ramond Johnson guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing a girl during her 4^th grade year, and Circuit Judge Brantley Clark sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences – one for each count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.

In announcing the fast verdict and life sentences, State Attorney Larry Basford noted the teamwork and collaboration needed among the various agencies in a case where the crimes occurred in Panama City but were disclosed later in another state.

Prosecutors Jennifer Lieb and Barbara Beasley brought together evidence and witnesses – including the victim – from three states to present the case to jurors.

In addition to the three life sentences, Johnson, 39, was designated as a Sexual Predator.

“The victim was scared and held this inside for over a year, and has shown tremendous courage in facing her abuser in court, which led to his conviction and three life sentences,” Lieb said. “Thanks to her courage, other children in the community are protected from him. Along with her testimony, this conviction was made possible by the collaboration of childrens’ advocacy centers, law enforcement agencies and medical professionals in multiple jurisdictions.”

Lieb called seven witnesses and presented evidence at trial that Johnson committed the acts against the victim in 2015 and 2016 while she lived in Panama City and was about 9 years old.

The victim was interviewed by Amy Bock, a licensed counselor in Ohio specializing in child sexual abuse victims, and during the interview discussed the three instances of sexual abuse. She testified she did not say anything prior to that, “because I was afraid of the outcome, he’d get mad.”

Johnson was arrested by Panama City police Det. C. Clark in February, 2017.

Prosecutors also presented testimony from another young girl who said she was sexually abused by Johnson under similar circumstances. Prosecutors noted the two victims did not know each other.

Johnson did not take the stand.

For additional information contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov.

Former officer sentenced to jail for striking handcuffed man

A former police officer found guilty of battery for striking a handcuffed suspect in the chest while he was on the ground was sentenced to 15 days in the Bay County Jail Thursday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Eric Conley, 43, who was fired from the Panama City Police Department following the Nov. 12, 2020, incident, was found guilty at trial Dec. 1. He was taken into custody Thursday to begin serving his sentence, which will be followed by 12 months’ probation.

County Court Judge Shane Vann granted Prosecutor Bob Pell’s request that Conley be adjudicated guilty and denied a defense request that the defendant be allowed to serve his sentence on weekends. Pell and fellow Prosecutor Dustin Miller presented the case at trial.

Judge Vann also ordered the defendant to pay $800 in fines and complete an Anger Management class before his probation ends.

Prosecutors Pell and Miller presented evidence at trial that showed Conley was on duty Nov. 12, 2020, when he responded to a call and encountered a man who was ultimately taken into custody.

A video, taken by a citizen watching the scene and played for the jury, showed the 41-year-old victim handcuffed behind his back and on the ground beside the rear door of a patrol car. One officer was standing over the handcuffed man, another was in the background, and Conley was shown kneeling down over the suspect.  Witnesses testified that Conley then punched the man while he was handcuffed and laying on his back.

The officer who had been in the background, Timothy Manson, is seen on video hurrying toward Conley, grabbing him and forcefully pulling him off the handcuffed man. At trial he testified the use of force was excessive.

Conley was questioned later that day and fired the following day when the city issued an arrest complaint against him for misdemeanor battery. His testimony at trial was that he was trying to calm down a combative suspect; prosecution witnesses countered that the man was handcuffed and not a threat.

 Basford credited the verdict to the thorough case put together by Panama City police and investigator Christopher Nichol, and the presentation of that case by veteran prosecutor Pell and Miller.

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

A contractor charged with taking a large down-payment from an elderly couple following Hurricane Michael and then failing to perform the work or refund the money has been found guilty of Grand Theft, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Luis Armando Perez, 54, of Jacksonville, was found guilty of Grand Theft over $300 Monday after a bench trial before Circuit Judge Dustin Stephenson. A bench trial means the defendant waived his right to a jury.

Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented evidence gathered by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office that the defendant accepted a $7,138 down-payment for work on a home that belonged to an elderly couple, but the work never took place. The payment represented about 10 percent of the full price of the repairs to the hurricane-damaged home.

Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Craig Romans made the arrest in June, 2019, about 6 months after the victims had written the defendant and his company, G&G Repairs, a check – which evidence showed was cashed about three days later.

OTHER NEWS: 70-year-old sentenced to life in prison for sexually battering child

OTHER NEWS: Convicted murderer receives life sentence

Sullivan presented testimony and evidence that included a recorded call between the defendant and a law enforcement officer, during which Perez admitted receiving the money, not conducting any repairs and refusing to issue a refund.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Stephenson found the defendant guilty of Grand Theft. He sentenced him to 23 days in the county jail and ordered him to repay the $7,138.00, in addition to other court costs and fines.

Perez’ time in the county jail will be followed by 5 years’ probation.

For additional information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov or (850) 381-7454.

 

A 70-year-old man found guilty of sexually battering and molesting a child was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday. In addition, he received two 25-year sentences followed by lifelong probation if he is ever released, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Kenneth Ray Hunley was convicted of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12, and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation Oct. 22. Prosecutors Barbara Beasley and Jae Hee Kim presented the case to jurors in a one-day trial.

     

At Tuesday’s sentencing before Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia, Beasley said the mandatory life sentence would be appropriate, as would his continued incarceration.

“The victim in this case is already serving a life sentence because of what the defendant did to her,” Beasley told the court. “He stole her innocence, he stole her childhood, and this is something she’s got to live with every day of her life.”

RELATED NEWS: Ross convicted of Sexual Battery

RELATED NEWS: Barnes convicted of multiple counts of Sexual Battery, Lewd and Lascivious Behavior

The victim, who prosecutors said was between 6 and 8 years old at the time of the crimes, did not appear in court. Her Victim Impact Letter was read into the record by Judge Garcia.

The defendant also was designated as a Sexual Predator.

At trial Oct. 22, jurors heard testimony that the offenses began with molestation and escalated to intercourse. The victim testified she was too frightened to say anything because the defendant warned her not to, saying no one would believe her.

The victim ultimately disclosed the abuse in interviews with the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. The defendant, in an interview with Bay County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Christian, told a story that did not hold up under questioning and made incriminating and contradictory statements.

For additional information contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announced that on December 1, 2021, a Bay County Jury found Ramon Ross guilty of two counts of Sexual Battery. The jury took just 40 minutes to convict Ross of sexually battering the victim, who was babysitting for him at the time. The case was investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Advocacy Center.

The defendant was immediately sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 15 years of Sex Offender Probation by Chief Judge Christopher Patterson. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Peter Overstreet and Josh James.

For additional information, contact Public Information Officer Mike Cazalas.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announced that a Bay County Jury found Justin Michael Howard guilty as charged on November 30, 2021, for Trafficking in Methamphetamine 200 or more grams, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Carrying a Concealed Firearm.   On August 15, 2020, the Defendant was the subject of a controlled buy operation conducted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.  Investigators through text message had the defendant agree to deliver over 200 grams of methamphetamine.  The Defendant had believed he was dealing with another dealer he had dealt with.  When the defendant arrived at the residence, investigators were present to greet him and take him into custody.  The defendant was found to have a firearm concealed in his pocket and 240grams of Methamphetamine in a black plastic bag.  The encounter was captured on BCSO’s body camera.

The defendant was immediately sentenced by Chief Judge Christopher Patterson to 30 years in prison with a $250,000.00 fine.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Overstreet.

For additional information, contact Public Information Officer Mike Cazalas.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announced that on November 30, 2021 a Jackson County Jury deliberated approximately 30 minutes before returning finding the defendant, Buckie O’Neil Barnes, age 32, guilty as charged of Sexual Battery on a Child less than 12 years of Age (two counts), Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, Lewd or Lascivious Battery, Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition, and Child Abuse. Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat presented the jury with evidence detailing the defendant’s ongoing sexual abuse of the child.

This case was investigated by the Sneads Police Department and the Child Advocacy Center. Circuit Judge James J. Goodman, Jr. adjudicated the defendant guilty and scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2022. The defendant could be sentenced to life in prison for committing these crimes.

For additional information, contact Public Information Officer Mike Cazalas.