The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Friday, September 22, 2017, Chase Michael Manning was convicted at trial of Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Felony Driving While License Suspended/Revoked, Possession of Paraphernalia, Resisting an Officer without Violence, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Damage.

The State established that on November 6, 2016, the Defendant crashed into a stopped motorist on Front Beach Road. The Defendant abandoned his vehicle in the parking lot of Mikato’s and fled the scene on foot. He was apprehended by Dep. Jesse Cieslik. Cpl. Nick Hall deployed his trained K-9 Lycan on the Defendant’s vehicle and received a positive alert. Inv. Steve O’Brien recovered 19.57 grams of Methamphetamine, a quantity of liquid GHB and GBL, and paraphernalia from the Defendant’s vehicle.

This case was tried by Assistant State Attorneys Barbara Beasley and Kyle Rash. Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2017 before Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet and the Defendant is facing Habitual Felony Offender sanctions.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson sentenced Patrick Glenn Ellingburg, to a total of 30 years in prison to include a twenty year minimum mandatory sentence.  Ellingburg had previously been convicted by a jury of Robbery with a Firearm, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, and Grand Theft.

At a trial held on August 1, 2017, Assistant State Attorney Laura Parish presented the testimony of eight witnesses to establish that on June 28, 2016, the Defendant attempted to rob at least two different groups of tubers on the Chipola River and was successful in robbing one of those groups. The State also showed that during that robbery the Defendant discharged a firearm at a member of one of the group.  Investigator Martin Basford with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  The jury deliberated for twenty-six minutes before returning its verdict of guilty including the required special findings under Florida’s 10-20-Life Law.

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 August 31, 2017, a Bay County jury convicted father, Justin Lee Lanier, of Aggravated Child Neglect Causing Great Bodily Harm, after his 5-month-old daughter was rushed to a local hospital with six skull fractures, bleeding on her brain, and a badly bruised body.  After undergoing three emergency brain operations, one neurosurgeon testified that the child, due to abuse, had the largest head she had ever seen in the United States.

Lanier faces up to fifteen years in prison when sentenced before the Honorable Michael C. Overstreet on October 9, 2017.  The Panama City Police Department, Department of Children and Families, and members of the Child Protection Team investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Devin Collier and Brittany Forester.

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

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that:

A Bay County jury deliberated approximately one hour and forty-five minutes on August 23, 2017, before finding Christopher Powell guilty of one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count of First Degree Murder.  The charges stemmed from an altercation that occurred on February 20,2016, at a residence located at the end of Owenwood Drive in Fountain, Florida.  The Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call and discovered the body of Carla Hight, with massive trauma to her head.  They interviewed the other occupant of the home who had also been attacked and learned that Chris Powell and his wife, Tiffany Powell, were suspects.  As a result of a joint investigation between the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, the Powells were arrested in Alabama.  After the jury’s verdict, Judge Michael Overstreet immediately sentenced Christopher Powell to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the First Degree Murder of Ms. Hight and fifteen years in prison for the Attempted Second Degree Murder of Ms. Foxworthy.  The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford and Assistant State Attorney Lawrence Gill.

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

Press Release

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

On August 31, 2017, Leonard Parry, Jr. was convicted of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.  Assistant State Attorney Michelle Daffin established that on June 7, 2016 the defendant had touched a five-year old child on the child’s genital area in a sexual manner.  This case was investigated by the Cottondale Police Department with assistance from the Child Protection Team.  Judge Christopher Patterson has scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2017.

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

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces the following:

On August 29, 2017, a six-member jury found Richard Leland McPeek guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover controlled buy from the Defendant at the McDonald’s off of Highway 77 by the Panama City Mall on June 2nd, 2016.  Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced the Defendant to 48 months in the Florida Department of Corrections.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Jacob Cook and Brittany Forester.

Please contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on 8/24/2017, Bobby Joe Davis was convicted of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting an Officer without Violence, Possession of Less Than 20 Grams Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The State established that on March 21, 2017, Deputy Evans of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office stopped the Defendant for a bicycle light infraction.  During the stop, the Defendant began to empty his pockets and methamphetamine was discovered.  Deputy Evans attempted to arrest the Defendant and a struggle ensued.  The Defendant battered the Deputy by elbowing him in the chest, ramming his shoulder into his chest and shoving him across a room.

This case was tried by Assistant State Attorney Barbara Beasley and Assistant State Attorney Kyle Rash.  Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced the Defendant to 48 Months in the Department of Corrections followed by 60 months of drug offender probation.

Please contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford with any questions.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on August 23, 2017, a Washington County jury found Stephen Allen Eaton, Jr,. guilty of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct. The State established that in December of 2015 Eaton had touched the breast of a 14 year old girl and asked her to have sex with him.  Eaton had been released from prison just 7 months before committing this act.  The case was investigated by Jason Cook and Lealan Lykins of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and was tried by Assistant State Attorney Shalla P. Jefcoat.  Judge Colby Peel scheduled sentencing for September 22, 2017.

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

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on 8/22/17, Samuel Timothy Stokes was convicted of two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery and one count of Attempt to Commit Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. Assistant State Attorney Shalla Phelps Jefcoat established that between August 17, 2013 and August 17, 2016, the defendant had engaged in sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16 and had attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with a child on a third occasion. This case was investigated by Investigator Kenny Brock of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Gulf Coast Child Advocacy Center. Judge Colby Peel has scheduled sentencing for September 22, 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 announces that on August 1, 2017, a Bay County Jury found Shawn Michael McDuffey, Jr., guilty as charged of Kidnapping and Robbery.  On August 17, 2017, a Bay County Jury found Brian Miley guilty as charged of Kidnapping and Robbery.

On January 2, 2017, McDuffey and Miley, along with co-defendants, Grant Jones and Cheyenne Bentley, drove from Marianna, Florida to Panama City to purchase Adderall pills from the victim.  During the encounter, the victim entered the car with McDuffey and his co-defendants.  The car sped off and the group began to beat the victim and go through his pockets, stealing his wallet, cell phone and Adderall pills.  The victim was badly beaten and dumped on the side of the road after being knocked unconscious.  The victim was able to run home and notify police.  Investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded and investigated the case leading to the arrest of McDuffey, Miley, Bentley, and Jones.

On August 23, 2017, Shawn McDuffey, Jr., and Brian Miley were sentenced to Life in Prison without the possibility of parole or release as Prison Releasee ReOffenders.  Cheyenne Bentley also pled guilty to Judge Clark and will be sentenced on September 20, 2017.

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