Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on June 29, 2021, a Jackson County Jury found Timothy John Jokinen Guilty as Charged of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on November 25, 2019, the Defendant visited the Victim’s family at the Grand Ridge Park at the corner of Broadway Street and Porter Avenue in Grand Ridge, Florida. While the Victim’s father was in the restroom, the Defendant began to place his hands down the pants of the Victim in a lewd and lascivious manner. An eyewitness exiting the restroom caught the Defendant in the act of molesting the Victim. Two more eyewitnesses on the scene also were able to observe the Defendant’s actions and confronted him about those actions before calling local law enforcement. The facts at trial went on to prove that the Defendant was over the age of 18 at the time and the Victim was under the age of 12.

Once law enforcement arrived on the scene, and after a thorough investigation, the Defendant was arrested and charged with the crime. Subsequently, the Victim was interviewed by the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s Child Protective Team and further evidence of the abuse was disclosed that incriminated the Defendant.

The State Attorney’s Office would like to thank Deputy Brandon Arroyo and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work, professionalism, and diligent investigation of this case. The State Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for their diligence in this investigation and all witnesses who came forward to help protect the Victim in this case and assist in the prosecution.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Benjamin Keown and Shalla Jefcoat. The Defendant faces up to life imprisonment in the Department of Corrections with a minimum mandatory of 25 years incarceration. Sentencing is set for August 20, 2021, at 3 pm before the Honorable James J. Goodman.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

On July 4, 2020, Raul Ambriz Guillen was shot and killed in Holmes County, Florida. His body was taken to a remote location and buried.  After a long investigation and important tips from the public, Mr. Guillen’s body was discovered on August 25, 2020, by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  The 14th Circuit Medical Examiner’s office determined that Mr. Guillen died from a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

PRESS RELEASE

Retired State Attorney Glenn Hess Wins the Eugene Whitworth Memorial Award

On June 21, 2021, State Attorney Larry Basford had the honor of presenting retired State Attorney Glenn Hess with the Eugene Whitworth Memorial Award.  This award is given by the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions to the criminal justice system made by a State Attorney.  Mr. Hess received this award for his years of service to the citizens of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, including five years as an Assistant State Attorney, 13 years as a Circuit Judge and 12 years as State Attorney.  Mr. Hess also previously served as the President of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association for two years, as well as serving in several other roles in the Association.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.