Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 30, 2021, a Bay County Jury found Emilio Jack guilty of second degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon.  On July 27, 2019, the victim, Mark Jankiewicz, was found covered in a blanket, under a picnic table at the boat ramp by the Hathaway bridge.  Dr. Jay Radtke, Medical Examiner for the 14^th Circuit testified that Mark Jankiewicz was stabbed over six times by a blunt instrument consistent with the same screwdrivers used by Emilio Jack.  One of the puncture wounds fractured the victim’s spinal cord and another cut through his jugular.

Through follow up investigation, Emilio Jack and Kayla Kostick were developed as associates of Mr. Jankiewicz.  The defendant, Emilio Jack, was located the next day driving the victim’s truck.  Both Jack and Kostick were interviewed by the Bay County Sheriff’s office.

Kostick testified to being present with the defendant and the victim at the boat ramp.  Kostick’s testimony was that she and the victim were talking when the defendant became angry, began attacking the victim and choked him.  The defendant removed a screwdriver from his back pocket and stabbed the victim in the left side of the neck.  Jack then walked to the victim’s truck and retrieved a second screwdriver and stabbed the victim in his ear.  Kostick also stated that the defendant threw both screwdrivers in the nearby water.  These screwdrivers were later located by the Bay County Sheriff’s office dive team.  Kostick said the defendant then obtained a blanket from the back of the truck and covered the victim with it.  Kostick’s testimony was corroborated by several witnesses as well as video and other physical evidence.

Sentencing is set for May 11, 2021 before Circuit Judge Chris Patterson.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Bob Sombathy and Frank Sullivan.  The case agent in this case was Sgt. Steve Rhinehart of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 19, 2021, Aaron Blake Wieland was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections with a 25-year day-for-day minimum mandatory under Florida’s 10/20/LIFE law for the Home Invasion Robbery and Attempted Murder and Kidnapping of Michael Rodriguez.  After the 25-year sentence, Wieland will have 5 years of post-prison probation.

On July 3, 2017, Wieland and his 3 co-defendants conspired to attack Rodriguez, who was staying at a friend’s house due to prior bad blood over drug transactions.  Wieland, armed with an AR-15 style assault rifle, entered the home with his co-defendants and shot Rodriguez.  His co-defendant beat Rodriguez with a hammer and then they attempted to put Rodriguez in the trunk of their car.  Rodriguez was able to escape and run around the side of the house where they shot at Rodriguez again and beat him with a hammer.  Wieland and his co-defendants then fled the area.  Panama City Police Officers arrived on scene and gained information from Rodriguez about his attackers and a bulletin was issued looking for Wieland and his co-defendants.  The next day, US Marshals located all 4 co-defendants and they were arrested.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Overstreet.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 23, 2021, a Bay County Jury found Jarquez Jerome Whitley guilty as charged for the crimes of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Whitley was wanted out of Panama City for an alleged shooting incident and had warrants for his arrest.  Officers with the Lynn Haven Police Department attempted to stop a car Whitley was driving for speeding.  Whitley then took off at a high rate of speed, narrowly dodging heavy traffic and almost causing collisions with other vehicles.  The pursuit was captured on the dash camera of the pursuing officer.  After wrecking his vehicle, Whitley fled on foot through a park and wood line to his known residence.  Police were able to apprehend Whitley and a firearm that was discarded in Whitley’s path of travel.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Peter Overstreet and Jacob Cook.  Whitley is a six-time convicted felon and faces up to 30 years in prison.  Sentencing is set for April 13, 2021, before the Honorable Christopher Patterson.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 23, 2021, Wesley Hill, 32, of Blountstown, entered pleas to the following charges:

1. Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer

2. Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer

3. Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer

The State was prepared to present evidence that on April 27, 2019, Hill fled from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office while they were trying to arrest him on misdemeanor charges. Hill fled from his house and led officers on a high-speed chase for several minutes. The officers involved included 2 deputies from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Kimbrel himself, and an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Hill intentionally rammed Deputy Richard Mayo’s patrol truck causing Mayo to wreck and receive injuries. During the chase on State Road 69 in Calhoun County, Hill reached speeds near 100 mph and ran several citizens off the road.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney William L. Wright. Circuit Judge Shonna Gay Sentenced Hill to 20 years in the Department of Corrections, suspended after 12 years. After serving 12 years in prison, Hill will serve 3 years of probation with the first 6 months in a residential substance abuse treatment center.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 11, 2021, Judge Christopher N. Patterson sentenced Scott William Thomas to 15 years in the Department of Corrections for Kidnapping, Aggravated Fleeing to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, Grand Theft Auto, and Driving While License Suspended – Habitual Offender.  On January 26, 2019, this Defendant stole a vehicle from the Texaco Gas Station located at 1736 St. Andrews Blvd.  An infant was inside the back seat when the Defendant stole the vehicle.  A countywide manhunt was immediately conducted by all local agencies.  The Defendant later fled the area in the vehicle, dropping the infant child off at the Taco Bell on Back Beach Road.  The Defendant later bailed from the vehicle and was apprehended.  This plea met the approval of the victim.  This case was prosecuted by ASA Peter Overstreet.

 

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 11, 2021, Judge Christopher N. Patterson sentenced Ardarreyus Walton to 10 years in the Department of Corrections with a 10 year minimum mandatory sentence pursuant to 10/20/LIFE.  On November 30, 2020, this defendant entered the Dollar General located at 4335 Highway 231 and robbed a cashier at gunpoint.  The Bay County Sheriff’s Office later was able to identify Mr. Walton and apprehend him.  The Defendant later gave a full confession to the armed robbery. This case was prosecuted by ASA Peter Overstreet.

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 11, 2021, a Bay County jury found Vincent Joseph Nuzzo guilty of Aggravated Battery.

Evidence presented at trial proved that in May of 2020, Nuzzo hit the victim, a homeless man, several times with a large metal pipe. The incident occurred at the foot of the Hathaway Bridge, where Nuzzo and victim had been living.

The case was investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.   It was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Frank Sullivan and Ian Gray.  Sentencing is tentatively set for March 30, 2021, before Circuit Judge Dustin Stephenson.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Christopher Benjamin Lafollette, age 31, of Altha, Florida, pled no contest to the following charges:

Trafficking in Methamphetamine (28 grams or more)

Possession of Hydrocodone

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Circuit Judge Shonna Gay sentenced Lafollette to a minimum mandatory 7 years in prison and a mandatory $100,000 fine.  The case was investigated by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.  A search warrant was obtained based upon prior drug sales and officers found the drugs, firearm, and paraphernalia during the search.  Lafollette also pled guilty to the other felony charges and stolen property charges.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney William Wright.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.

The office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that Camerin Dixon-Hatcher has joined the office as an Assistant State Attorney in the Holmes County office, assigned to handle misdemeanor cases.  Ms. Dixon-Hatcher is a Holmes County native who graduated from Chipola State College and Florida State University.  She started law school at Samford University and transferred to Florida State University Law, where she graduated in May 2020.  She was sworn in as a member of the Florida Bar in November, 2020. We welcome Ms. Dixon-Hatcher to our team!

PRESS RELEASE

The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 9, 2021, a Bay County jury found Jhon Albert Carrizales Pretell guilty as charged of Sexual Battery upon a Person Less Than 12 Years of Age.  The victim testified that between August and October 2018, she was sexually assaulted by the Defendant.  She testified that she did not tell anyone until March of 2019 when she felt safe enough to disclose the incident to a friend.  Police were notified almost immediately, and a Child Protection Team Interview was conducted the next day. After the interview, Bay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jesse Cieslik interviewed the Defendant, where he confessed to the allegations.

The jury deliberated for less than 15 minutes before finding the Defendant guilty as charged. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Ian Gray.  Sentencing is scheduled for March 30, 2021 before the Honorable Dustin Stephenson, where the Defendant faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.