Author: Admin SA

John Pettis Joins the State Attorney’s Office

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PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that John Pettis has joined the State Attorney’s Office as an Investigator in the Holmes and Washington County offices.  Inv. Pettis comes to us from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where he was most recently the supervisor of court house security.  He previously worked at the Walton Academy Charter School, where he was in charge of transportation, cafeteria, custodial, and security operations.  Prior to that, he worked at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the DeFuniak Springs Police Department, and was a corrections officer for the Department of Corrections.  He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Business Administration and Management.  We welcome Inv. Pettis to our team!

Jennifer Lieb Joins the State Attorney’s Office

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PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that Jennifer Lieb has joined the State Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State Attorney in the Panama City office.  Ms. Lieb comes to us with a wealth of experience, having worked at the 1st Circuit State Attorney’s office for nearly 15 years.  Ms. Lieb was assigned as a special prosecutor for child victim crimes and internet crimes against children for over ten years.  She has handled all aspects of prosecution – from intake through disposition – of misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony cases.  We welcome Ms. Lieb to our team!

Briggs Enters Plea to Second Degree Murder with a Firearm; Sentenced to 40 Years

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PRESS RELEASE

The Office of the State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on January 21, 2021, Circuit Judge Ana Garcia sentenced William Arthur Briggs, 43 years old, to 40 years in the Department of Corrections, with the first 25 years to be served without gain time day-for-day, for the murder of Tammie Shrie Ash, 46 years old.

Evidence in the case established that on January 22, 2020, William Arthur Briggs shot and killed Tammie Shrie Ash at their residence on 205 Kraft Avenue, Panama City, Florida. Briggs was charged with 2nd Degree Murder with a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Trafficking in MDMA (ecstasy).

On January 21, 2021, Briggs entered a no contest plea to the above stated 3 charges and 2 additional charges. He was sentenced to 40 years in the Department of Corrections for the murder of Tammie Shrie Ash and 5 years prison concurrent on the remaining 4 charges.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Mark E. Graham.

Price Convicted of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Grand Theft Auto

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Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on December 9, 2020, a Bay County jury convicted Rachel Nicole Price of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Grand Theft Auto after deliberating for nearly 45 minutes. Rachel Price and her boyfriend/co-defendant, Adam Horne, were in Panama City Beach after absconding from North Carolina. While at the Pier Park, Horne and Price developed a scheme to return to North Carolina by convincing the victim, an 80 year old woman, they were down on their luck. She agreed to give them a ride back to their hotel.. During the ride, Horne pulled out a knife, held it to the victim’s throat, and demanded that the victim drive them out of state.

The victim was then able to pull into the VP Gas Station at Middle Beach and Alf Coleman Rd, near Shipwreck Island,  Horne demanded money for the gas and the victim, afraid for her life, complied by giving up her credit card.  When Horne exited the car, the victim floored the car out of the gas station leaving behind Horne. Price then demanded to be let out of the car and exited. Video surveillance showed Price running back to Horne and proceeding down the road to the Villages at the Grand Panama. Once at the Grand Panama, the couple stole another person’s truck.

Within an hour, deputies with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office stopped the stolen truck near the intersection of Hwy 231 and Hwy 20.  Horne was searched and found to be in possession of the first victim’s stolen credit card.  Police also located the knife Horne used in the backseat of the robbery victim’s car.

This case was investigated by the Panama City Beach Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Calie Overstreet and Alexis Sykes. Circuit Judge Brantley Clark scheduled sentencing for December 17, 2020 at 9:00 am.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

New Assistant State Attorneys Sworn

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The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on November 23, 2020, four recent law school graduates were sworn in by State Attorney Glenn Hess as the newest Assistant State Attorneys in the 14th Judicial Circuit.  Jillian Barnard, Erica Gloyd, Daniel King, and Celeste Murphy-Gerling were sworn in after receiving notice that they had passed the fall 2020 Florida Bar exam.

Ms. Barnard is a graduate of Barry Law School in Orlando.  Ms. Gloyd is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee.  Mr. King is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.  Ms. Murphy-Gerling is also a graduate of Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee.  They are all May 2020 graduates.  All of the new Assistant State Attorneys join our Bay County office in the Misdemeanor Division.  We welcome them to our team!

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

(Photo: State Attorney Glenn Hess, Jillian Barnard, Daniel King, Erica Gloyd, and Celeste Murphy-Gerling)

Britton Convicted of Attempted Second Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer; Faces Life Sentence

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The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on November 19, 2020, a Bay County jury found Terrance Lamont Britton guilty of Attempted Second Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer with Lights & Sirens with High Speed or Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, and Driving Under the Influence.
On December 28, 2017, Officer Klingensmith and his trainee, Officer Shoemaker witnessed the Defendant at a gas station stumbling and entering a vehicle.  Believing Britton to be possibly impaired they attempted a traffic stop after the vehicle he was operating crossed into oncoming traffic and was swerving.  Britton then fled from the officers as they attempted the traffic stop at high speeds.  The pursuit was dangerous and the officers terminated the pursuit.  Britton then drove down Kendrick Road in Parker and the officers waited on Cherry Street for him to exit.  After waiting they discovered Britton had crashed into an unoccupied vehicle, leaving his wife unconscious and bleeding inside the vehicle.  The officers saw Britton walking away from the crash and attempted to detain him.  Upon doing so, Britton brandished and pointed a silver 9mm handgun at the officers.  Officer Shoemaker discharged his issued weapon twice at Britton and Officer Klingensmith discharged his weapon once before it jammed.  Britton was not struck by the gunfire and ran from the officers.  Officer Klingensmith then was able to catch the defendant and tackled him.  After tackling Britton, Britton shoved his firearm underneath the vest of Officer Klingensmith.  Officer Kligensmith grabbed the slide of the firearm to keep it from discharging and fought for his life.  Sergeant Rexford from Springfield Police Department also arrived on scene and used his taser to subdue Britton.  After tasing Britton, Officer Klingensmith was able to remove the firearm from Britton’s possession.  Defendant’s blood was later taken and found to contain cocaine and a 0.127 blood alcohol level.  Britton is a Prison Releasee Reoffender after just being released from prison for Armed Robbery from Palm Beach County, where he served 10 years.
The Defendant is facing a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, and up to 65 years of consecutive time.  Sentencing will be set before Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson at a later date to be determined.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

McDaniel Sentenced to Life in Prison

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Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on July 28, 2020, Judge Shonna Gay sentenced Anthony Bryan McDaniel to Life in prison as a Prison Releasee Reoffender.  McDaniel was convicted by a Gulf County jury on January 28, 2020, of Sexual Battery with Great Force, Sexual Battery, Burglary with a Battery, Aggravated Battery, and False Imprisonment.

The case was investigated by Lt. Dickey and Renee Zemlock from the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Megan Ford.

Falcon Resenteced to Life in Prison

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Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on July 21, 2020, Judge Brantley Clark, Jr. resentenced Rebecca Lee Falcon to life in prison.

Rebecca Falcon, a fifteen-year old at the time, murdered cab driver Richard Phillips by shooting him in the back of the head on November 19, 1997. A Bay County jury found Falcon guilty of First Degree Murder and she was sentenced to life in prison on May 11, 1999.

In 2012, the Florida Supreme Court remanded the case back to Bay County for an “individualized sentencing hearing” in conformity with United States Supreme Court’s decisions holding that juveniles who are sentenced to life in prison are entitled to present evidence regarding their immaturity and other factors relevant to adolescent behavior. Judge Clark conducted a new sentencing hearing on March 2-3, 2020, where both the state and the defense presented evidence directed towards Florida’s new juvenile sentencing factors.

Falcon could have received a sentence of “time served”, life in prison, or a term of years short of life. Judge Brantley Clark filed a twenty page written order detailing the factors that justified a life sentence for Rebecca Falcon for the pre-meditated murder of Richard Phillips. “I am relieved for the surviving family of Mr. Phillips. Having to relive this experience has been extremely hard on them.” said prosecutor, Bob Sombathy.

Under Florida law, Rebecca Falcon will be entitled to a sentence review fifteen years from the date of her sentence.

If you have any questions, please contact Bob Sombathy, Chief of Major Crimes at 850-348-1596 or Robert.sombathy@sa14.fl.gov.

Ramirez Convicted of Sexual Battery with a Deadly Weapon

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Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on March 4, 2020, a Bay County jury found Adolfo Barahona Ramirez guilty as charged of Sexual Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Battery.  Evidence produced at trial revealed that the victim, who did cleaning work for the defendant, was grabbed at knife point and sexually battered while she was at the defendant’s residence to do his laundry.  The victim was bitten and cut with the knife during the sexual battery.  The victim was able to fight the defendant off and run out of the home.  DNA and physical evidence recovered from the victim and crime scene supported the victim’s account of the sexual battery.

The defendant will be sentenced on April 14, 2020, by the Honorable Chief Judge Christopher Patterson.  The defendant is facing life in prison and registration as a sexual offender.  The case was investigated by the Panama City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Overstreet.