A convicted felon out of prison less than a year for fentanyl trafficking was found guilty of the same offense Thursday and sentenced to 30 years, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Branden Gywayne Given, 41, was found guilty as charged of Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams or more) and Trafficking in Methamphetamine (200 grams of more). Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark sentenced the defendant to 30 years on each charge, to run concurrently. That includes a minimum-mandatory 25 years on the fentanyl charge.

“This defendant has shown a reckless disregard for both Florida’s drug laws and the safety of our community having just been released from prison for trafficking in fentanyl a year before this crime,” Prosecutor Frank Sullivan said. “Now with our enhanced penalties for fentanyl traffickers we can make sure he will not have the opportunity to put his poison on our streets for a long time.”

The defendant was arrested with 82 grams of fentanyl and 1,059 grams of methamphetamine. Fentanyl is extremely potent – 2 mg is considered a lethal dose, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration – and there are 1,000 milligrams in a gram.

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Members of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Division arrested the defendant on Jan. 1, 2024. He was released from prison Feb. 8, 2023.

Sullivan called 5 witnesses and produced evidence – including the large amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine for jurors to see – proving the defendant had two active felony warrants for his arrest on Jan. 1, 2024. SID investigators conducted a traffic stop to execute those arrest warrant and subsequently obtained search warrants for the defendant’s residence.

During that search they found fentanyl and meth. Jurors deliberated for about an hour.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its proactive work in preventing such a large quantify of drugs from hitting the streets.

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

Robert J. Bailey was sentenced to death Thursday for the 2005 murder of Panama City Beach Police Sgt. Kevin Kight, who was shot twice in the chest during a traffic stop, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay agreed with Basford’s assessment and a jury’s 9-3 recommendation in October that the aggravating factors accompanying the defendant’s crime far outweighed the mitigating factors in handing down the sentence.

Bailey, who had violated his parole, shot Kight twice in the chest during a traffic stop in 2005. He told his passenger he was going to “pop a cop” rather than go back to prison. He was found guilty and sentenced to death in 2007. The case was sent back for a new penalty phase following a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affected death penalty cases across the state that did not have a unanimous vote. Florida law now requires at least an 8-4 vote.

“Two juries and two judges have agreed with us at the State Attorney’s Office again that the defendant should pay the ultimate price for killing Sgt. Kevin Kight … when he was on routine patrol protecting and trying to keep our community safe,” Basford said. “Judge Gay’s sentence today will hasten his date with destiny.

“Sgt. Kight’s family, and I, and a lot of other folks in our community look forward to the day that a needle is placed in the defendant’s arm and he is killed graveyard dead.”

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Those in court to hear Judge Gay’s sentence included Kight’s family, Assistant Chief State Attorney Mark Graham and former State Attorney Steve Meadows (who both worked on the 2007 trial), and several Panama City Beach Police Officers.

Testimony at his October resentencing hearing showed the defendant, who will turn 43 next week on Death Row, had fled Wisconsin 5 months after his release from prison when he violated his parole. He was headed to Panama City Beach with friends for a “last hurrah.”

After he was stopped for a traffic violation by Kight on Easter Sunday, March 28, 2005, the defendant told a passenger he was not going back to prison. When Kight approached the vehicle, pulling his handcuffs from his belt, the defendant fired 3 times with 2 bullets hitting Kight in the chest. Both shots were fatal.

The defendant sped off, abandoned his vehicle a short distance away and was arrested the next morning.

Basford thanked all the agencies and citizens involved in preparing and seeing through a case over the course of 20 years.

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

Rachel Gause, the newest prosecutor at the 14^th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office in Bay County, knew from an early age Bay County would one day be home.

She just didn’t know that marrying a man who lived here would be the reason for leaving her job as a public defender in Georgia and becoming an Assistant State Attorney here.

“My parents have had a house down here for about 20 years, so I basically grew up coming here on weekends to go to the beach,” Gause said. “I always told myself growing up that I was going to end up here one way or the other, so luckily this is where my husband lives.”

Gause grew up in Donalsonville, Ga., before moving to Atlanta where she received her bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. Next was Savannah Law School, where she obtained her law degree.

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Gause worked at the Public Defender’s Office, South Georgia Judicial Circuit, for nearly four years. She handled a wide variety of cases involving everything from misdemeanor assault to homicide.

Last fall she married a Bay County resident and made the move to Panama City Beach. After passing the Florida Bar for her license here, she started looking for work. When she saw the prosecutor’s position, she knew that was what she wanted to do.

“When I saw this, I just thought it would be a real challenge, and fun, because I think there is going to be a greater satisfaction in being a prosecutor,” she said. “You are still seeking an outcome that is fair for everyone, but I saw the satisfaction of prosecutors who were there for the victims.”

Gause said her work as a public defender sets her up to be a successful prosecutor.

“That role not only solidified my commitment to protecting the rights of the accused but also broadened my appreciation for the broader pursuit of justice — one that includes victims and the community at large,” she said. “This perspective has inspired me to seek a position where I can continue serving the public interest through a new lens.”

A Panama City felon caught carrying a firearm in St. Andrews during a proactive law enforcement patrol in 2023 was found guilty Wednesday and sentenced to 48 months in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Rico Munn Rodriguez, 32, was found guilty of Carrying a Concealed Firearm and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm after Prosecutor Jackson White presented the State’s case. Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark sentenced the defendant to 48 months in prison, with the first 36 months being minimum-mandatory.

White called two witnesses – arresting officer Frank McDonald and Florida Department of Law Enforcement firearms analyst Caitlin Weaver – to prove his case.

The jury deliberated for about 20 minutes.

“This is a good example of proactive law enforcement by Panama City police, and in this case led to the arrest and conviction of an armed felon walking in a crowded area,” White said. “In Bay County we simply do not allow convicted felons to possess firearms, they have lost that right due to their past decisions.”

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Officer McDonald reported he was on proactive patrol March 10, 2023, in the St. Andrews area as part of the city’s Street Crime Unit. On 11^th Street near Bayview Avenue, officers saw the defendant illegally carrying an open container of alcohol.

While talking to the defendant, McDonald asked if he was armed and he said he was. He was carrying a loaded semi-automatic pistol in a pouch slung over one shoulder and resting against his chest.

A records check showed the defendant had two previous felony convictions and he was arrested.

Basford thanked the Panama City Police Department for its proactive work.

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

MARIANNA – A 51-year-old Grand Ridge man found guilty of forcing himself sexually onto a 22-year-old woman who repeatedly told him “no” was found guilty of Sexually Battery Thursday and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

State Attorney Larry Basford announced that Anthony Pollock was found guilty Thursday of the Sexual Battery charge. Pollock was also on probation. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia sentenced Pollock to 15 years for sexual battery and a consecutive 5 years for violation of probation.

Jackson County Chief Prosecutor Shalla Jefcoat said the victim’s courage in reporting the crime the night it happened, her willingness to testify, and the resources the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office put into the case combined for the successful outcome.

“The ‘No Means No’ motto regarding sexual contact was born 10 years before the victim in this case,” Jefcoat said. “It is something we are all familiar with, it matters, and we will continue to prosecute those who commit non-consensual sexual acts on others. Our victim stood up for herself, the Sheriff’s Office fought for her, and we are grateful a jury agreed with our case and found Pollock guilty.”

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The victim testified she was visiting a friend in January, 2024, and the defendant also came to the house. While there, he forced himself on her in a bedroom and despite her repeatedly telling him no, he would not stop.

She left the home, called a family member to tell her what had happened and then drove to the hospital and reported the attack.

Basford thanked victim for her strength and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for its handling of the investigation.

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

 

A woman who claimed she and a male friend were forced to take possession of 48 grams of methamphetamine by an out-of-town dealer was found guilty Wednesday of trafficking in the drug.

State Attorney Larry Basford announced Kayla Klein, 26, was found guilty of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 28 grams but less than 200). Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young set sentencing for July 18.

Prosecutor Jeff Moore said under Florida’s enhanced drug penalty statutes, Klein faces a minimum-mandatory sentence of 7 years. The charge is a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years.

“This should send a strong message to people bringing in drugs from out of town to sell here that it is not a game, it will change the course of your life,” Moore said. “The Legislature recognizes the threat posed by these poisons being on our streets, and our law enforcement agencies are focused on removing that threat. We will continue to work with them and used these enhanced penalties to prosecute these cases and keep our streets safe.”

Moore and Prosecutor Morgan Morrell called 6 witnesses, ranging from the Panama City Police Department investigators to the co-defendant.

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The testimony and evidence showed that Panama City police were about to serve a search warrant on a West 21^st Place residence on May 23, 2024, when Klein and a male friend pulled into the driveway. Police served the warrant and found 48 grams of methamphetamine in a bag inside that car. Also in the bag was a letter addressed to the defendant.

She eventually admitted to police she traveled to Pensacola to buy drugs. But she said the dealer pulled a gun on her and a male friend, took her friend’s money, and gave them the black bag with 48 grams of meth. He demanded, she said, that they sell it and bring him back the money.

The two drove back to Panama City. The next day they went to the West 21^st Place address hoping to buy fentanyl and got caught up in the search warrant.

“They were in the right place at the wrong time,” Moore said.

Basford thanked Panama City police for their proactive work in the case and the statements they gathered from the defendants.

Defendant pursued women and forced them off road before they escaped

MARIANNA – A man who chased and assaulted his female friend and a woman trying to help her escape him was found guilty of 2 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Tuesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Kenneth Allen Polk, 42, of Slocomb, Ala., was charged by the Jackson County Sherriff’s Office with two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, after he pursued the women in a vehicle from Alabama. Six jurors took just under an hour to reach a verdict. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia set sentencing for Aug. 12.

Prosecutor Lawrence Gill along with co-counsel Jake Mitchell called four witnesses – including the two victims and the first Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy on the scene – and presented evidence proving the defendant committed the crimes on Dec. 10, 2022, during an outing that began in Alabama.

“This was a terrifying ordeal for both victims and we are grateful the jury saw that,” Gill said. “To be chased up and down U.S.  231 by an angry man at high speeds, forced off the road, threatened, and then have to hide in the back of a store until help arrives is hard to imagine. Our victims showed courage both that day, and in court by testifying against their attacker.”

The evidence showed the defendant and the first victim, his “on-again, off-again” girlfriend, were in Dothan, Ala., on Dec. 10, 2022, when they decided to go to a gaming/entertainment business. They took the woman’s car, with Polk driving, when Polk started an argument with the woman that began to turn physical.

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The woman was in fear and when Polk stopped the car at an intersection with U.S. 231 in Alabama, the victim broke away from Polk and ran to a car that was behind them in traffic for help. That female driver let the woman in her car and left driving south toward Florida.

The evidence showed Polk aggressively chased the women into Florida at speeds reaching 70 mph, while they were on the phone with 911 – and eventually forcing the driver off the road. He went to the driver’s window and began slapping it and pulling on the door handles before they were able to get back on the highway and flee again.

The Good Samaritan driver was able to get them to a Dollar General in Campbellton where both hid in the back until a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived. The defendant had fled.

Basford thanked the 911 operator and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their response to and handling of the situation.

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

A Panama City man who pled no contest to repeatedly stabbing a man who barred him from his property received the maximum prison sentence Tuesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Markus Shadree Faggart, 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for Attempted Second Degree Murder in the Dec. 8, 2023, stabbing of a 62-year-old Panama City man on his porch. Prosecutor Morgan Morrell successfully argued for Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young to designate and sentence the defendant as a Prison Release Reoffender.

Morrell showed the defendant was released from prison in 2022 for Armed Robbery. This means the defendant will have to serve every day of the sentence.

“The work by Panama City Police Department investigators, their collaboration with our office, and the wealth of evidence against the defendant in this brutal attack culminated with the defendant pleading while accepting the maximum sentence,” Morrell said. “We are grateful the victim and witnesses will not be put through the trial process and that this defendant will be where he can not pose a danger to our community.”

Morrell was prepared to call witnesses and provide evidence that the defendant knew the victim and at times stopped by his home to talk. But on Dec. 8, 2023, the victim asked Faggart to leave his property and that he was no longer welcome there.

About an hour later, the victim was taking out his garbage when the defendant returned holding a pocketknife, stabbing and cutting the victim in the throat multiple times.

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The victim managed to run away and was assisted by neighbors to stem the bleeding until an ambulance arrived. The defendant fled but was found walking about 4 blocks away, with blood on his clothes and hands. A bloody pocketknife was found in his shoe.

Basford thanked Panama City police for their work on the case and helping with its quick resolution.

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

A man who barged into another man’s hotel room as part of a dispute, firing several shots at the victim, was found guilty Thursday of Attempted Manslaughter and several other charges, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

The jury’s special findings included that Christopher Lorenzo Hatcher possessed, fired, and injured the victim with a firearm. Hatcher also was found guilty of Shooting in an Occupied Building and Trespassing in an Occupied Structure. Further, jurors were then told the defendant was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm – something they could not know while hearing the case – and they found him guilty on that charge.

Hatcher faces up to 46 years in prison at a sentencing to be set at a later date by Circuit Court Judge William Henry.

“Panama City police did a good job investigating this case so we could prosecute this defendant and get him off the streets,” Dearing said. “Panama City is a safer place today with this verdict.”

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Prosecutor Brea Dearing called 8 witnesses, including the victim who was shot twice in the leg and once in the hand, along with evidence like video surveillance gathered by Panama City police to prove her case.

The testimony showed the victim had spoken to Hatcher earlier, then returned to his room at the Relax Inn on Harrison Avenue. Hatcher then went to the victim’s room, barged inside and fired several shots before fleeing. The video appeared to show blood on his shirt as he ran. Panama City police captured him about 5 blocks away shirtless, but still wearing the same pants as in the surveillance video.

Basford thanked the Panama City Police Department for its work on the case and the quick identification and capture of the suspect.

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

A woman charged with giving her husband a pistol during a disturbance with a family at a convenience store was found guilty Thursday of multiple charges associated with the subsequent shootings that wounded two people.

State Attorney Larry Basford said Norma Thomas was found guilty as charged of two counts of Principal to Aggravated Battery, Principal to Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, Principal to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for Aug. 7.

The defendant’s husband Tighree Thomas, who fired 8 shots, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.

Prosecutor Zachary VanDyke called witnesses and put on evidence – including surveillance video – proving that the defendant handed her husband a gun after the initial confrontation as the people in the truck were attempting to leave.

VanDyke said the Bay County Sheriff’s Office did a good job of coordinating and processing three separate crime scenes where key evidence was recovered – including the video surveillance footage and the gun.

“We are grateful the jurors saw that the defendant’s decision to give her husband a gun was made well after any danger to the defendants had passed,” VanDyke said. “Because of her actions, then everyone in that area was in danger as those bullets flew. You cannot go after people and shoot them in situations like this and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases.”

The evidence showed the Thomases, a nephew, and a friend were together at a Beach gas station around 2:50 a.m. on Aug. 14, 2022. Tighree Thomas and one of the men from the truck began arguing and it turned physical when the man punched Thomas, knocking him down.

That man and his brother fled to their truck, parked about 20 feet away, and were attempting to leave when Tighree Thomas, who had told his wife to get a gun, went over to the truck, followed by his wife.

Norma Thomas is seen beating on the truck’s driver’s window and handing her husband the gun. He is seen going to the other side of the truck and pulling open the door. There is a struggle as the truck’s occupants attempt to shut the doors, then the driver backs out and starts to pull away.

Tighree Thomas is seen taking a shooting stance and firing 8 rounds at the fleeing truck. The two people in the back seat were each struck by bullets.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its hard work on the case that has now helped to lead to two convictions.

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