Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announced that:

On July 7, 2017, Circuit Judge Chris Patterson sentenced Joshua Brandyn Gaskey to two consecutive Life in Prison terms without the possibility of parole.   Just last week, a Holmes County jury found Gaskey guilty as charged of two counts of first degree murder, robbery with a firearm and armed burglary.   During the week long trial, Assistant State Attorneys Brandon Young and Larry Basford presented evidence that Gaskey killed Sheley Glenn Brooks and his wife, Jacqulyn Brooks in their home located in the Ponce De Leon community in order to obtain Mrs. Brooks’ prescription medication.  The State Attorney’s Office had sought the death penalty for the double homicide, but during the penalty phase the jury returned a verdict for life.  The case was investigated by the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford if additional information is required.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces the following:

On July 6, 2017, a six-member jury found Albert J. Hayes, II, guilty as charged on six counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery.  Assistant State Attorneys Jennifer Hawkins and Alyssa Yarbrough presented the testimony of four witnesses to establish the Defendant met a fifteen year old, on six different occasions in Bay County, Florida to engage in sexual acts with her between January of 2016 and March of 2017.  Investigator Brent Patrick with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  The jury deliberated for a little over one hour before returning its verdict.  Judge Brantley Clark, Jr. scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

If additional information is needed, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess releases the following information:
On June 30 2017, a Circuit Court jury in Marianna, Florida deliberated approximately an hour and a half before convicting David Ren Moore of Burglary with a Battery, a life felony, and Aggravated Battery, a second degree felony.  The jury also made the necessary findings under the 10/20/Life law that requires a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years on each crime because Moore carried a firearm during the commission of the crimes.  Assistant State Attorney Laura Wahlquist called 4 witnesses to the stand to prove that on the night of July 4, 2015, Moore and his accomplice, Derek Pittman, entered a residence, attempted to rob the occupant, and beat him extensively causing great bodily harm.  The case was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  Judge Michael Miller scheduled a sentencing date for August 8, 2017.

Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess releases the following information:
On June 28, 2017, a Circuit Court jury in Marianna, Florida deliberated approximately 19 minutes before convicting Christopher Tyrone Pittman of Trafficking in Cocaine and Trafficking in Methamphetamine.  The jury also made the necessary findings as to the weight of the cocaine and methamphetamine that requires a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years on each crime.  Assistant State Attorney Laura Wahlquist called 10 witnesses to the stand to prove on the afternoon of December 9, 2015, Pittman purchased 3 kilos of cocaine (approximately 7.5 pounds) and one and a half kilos of methamphetamine (nearly 3.5 pounds).  The case was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Attorney’s Office.  Judge Wade Mercer scheduled a sentencing date for August 8, 2017.

Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Friday, June 23, 2017, Bay County Circuit Judge Hentz McClellan sentenced Christopher Minor to 160 months of imprisonment.  Minor had been found guilty by a jury of Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon on June 6, 2017.  Assistant State Attorneys Peter Overstreet and Cord Grimes presented the testimony of 4 witnesses to prove that on October 23, 2016 while at the Exxon gas station located on Jenks Avenue in Panama City, Minor robbed Everett Bronson of his bicycle.  During the course of the robbery Minor displayed a knife and attempted to cut and stab Mr. Bronson.  Mr. Bronson was able to resist Minor and fend him off before calling 911.  Patrolmen Wray and Creamer of the Panama City Police Department responded to the scene and were able to detain Minor who was attempting to flee in a taxi cab.  The jury deliberated less than 20 minutes before returning a guilty as charged verdict.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in Calhoun County, Circuit Judge Shonna Gay sentenced Wesley McHenry to 10 years in prison for Driving Under the Influence Manslaughter and 5 years in prison for Driving Under the Influence with Serious Bodily Injury, to run consecutive for a total of 15 years in prison.  McHenry had alcohol and marijuana in his system on August 22, 2015, when his car collided Mark and Candi Laramore’s vehicle.  McHenry was traveling 80-81 miles per hour when he ran the stop sign at the intersection of Highways 275 and 20.  Ms. Laramore was pronounced dead at the scene, and Mr. Laramore suffered serious injuries.  Calhoun County Chief Assistant State Attorney Shad Redmon prosecuted the case.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on June 8, 2017, after deliberating approximately eleven minutes, a six-member jury found Randy Terrell Grimsley guilty of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. Assistant State Attorneys Brittany Forester and Megan Ford presented evidence that some time between April and May of 2015, the Defendant had sexual intercourse with the then 16 year old victim while she was spending the night at a friend’s home. At the time, the Defendant was 33 years old. Nine months later, the victim gave birth to a child that DNA evidence confirmed was the child of the Defendant. Circuit Judge Hentz McClellan scheduled a sentencing hearing on June 23, 2017. The Defendant could face up to fifteen years in prison for this crime.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that a Bay County Circuit Court jury convicted Christopher Minor of Armed Robbery with a Deadly Weapon on June 6, 2017. Assistant State Attorneys Peter Overstreet and Cord Grimes presented the testimony of 4 witnesses to prove that on October 23, 2016 while at the Exxon gas station located on Jenks Avenue in Panama City, Minor robbed Everett Bronson of his bicycle. During the course of the robbery Minor displayed a knife and attempted to cut and stab Mr. Bronson. Mr. Bronson was able to resist Minor and fend him off before calling 911. Patrolmen Wray and Creamer of the Panama City Police Department responded to the scene and were able to detain Minor who was attempting to flee in a taxi cab. The jury deliberated less than 20 minutes before returning a guilty as charged verdict. The defendant’s sentence may be enhanced to life in prison because of his prior convictions from Tennessee for aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery. Sentencing is scheduled on June 23, 2017 before Judge Hentz McClellan.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess releases the following information:

On Thursday, May 25, 2017, a 12-person Bay County jury found Robert Vaughan guilty of first degree murder and robbery for the brutal stabbing of 68 year old Patricia Pedraza of Panama City Beach.  Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy proved to jurors that on February 10, 2016, Vaughan attacked Mrs. Pedraza in her home and killed her by stabbing her multiple times in her chest, neck, and back.  Vaughan then stole money and prescription medication from the house.  Mr. Pedraza came home from work that evening to find his wife laying on the floor lifeless and covered in blood. Vaughan left his EBT card beneath Mrs. Pedraza’s body which helped the Bay County Sheriff’s Office quickly identify Vaughan as a suspect.  After the murder, Vaughan discarded his bloody shoes, washed his clothes, and went home and showered in an effort to destroy any physical evidence tying him to the crime. Lead investigator Stephen Jencks and Major Jimmy Stanford interviewed Vaughan after he was found at his job site.  Vaughan admitted to attacking Mrs. Pedraza, and his information lead investigators to the murder weapon which was still in Vaughan’s car.  The defense at trial centered around Vaughan’s claim that he was legally insane.  Vaughan testified that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a 20 year old incident.  He claimed that the 68 year old female victim turned into a man named “Patrick” and claimed he killed Patrick in self defense.  Dr. Gregory Prichard testified for the state as an expert witness in the field of forensic psychology.  Dr. Prichard testified that the defendant did not have PTSD, but instead suffered from chronic substance abuse and illustrated the many inconsistencies in Vaughan’s story.  After the jury found Vaughan guilty as charged, Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced Vaughan to Life in prison.  Bob Sombathy was assisted by his co-counsel Devin Collier and the Major Crimes Prosecution team of Stephanie Glidden, Shannon Mitchell and Dan Bates.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess releases the following information:

On May 24, 2017, a Circuit Court jury in Chipley Florida deliberated approximately 3 hours before convicting Emmanuel Forrest Lockhart of Attempt to Commit First Degree Murder with a Firearm, Attempt to Commit Robbery with a Firearm and Burglary of a Structure with a Firearm.  The jury also made the necessary findings under the 10/20/Life law that requires a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years to life on each crime because Lockhart carried and discharged a firearm that caused great bodily harm during the commission of the crimes.  Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat called 20 witnesses to the stand to prove on the afternoon of July 10, 2016, Lockhart repeatedly shot Jody Rhoda as she left her place of business, the Colonial Restaurant.  The case was investigated by the Chipley Police Department and with the assistance of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Lockhart was arrested within an hour of committing the crime.  Judge Timothy Register scheduled a sentencing date for June 15, 2017.

Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at 850-819-6985 with any questions.