An inmate who punched and attacked a Bay County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer was found guilty Thursday and sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Christopher E. Cottrell, 55, a transient, was found guilty of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Assault on a Law Enforcement officer. The jury deliberated for about 10 minutes after Prosecutor Dustin Miller presented his case.

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Miller called 4 witnesses, including the victim, and presented evidence proving Cottrell committed the crimes on Sept. 25, 2023, at the Bay County Jail. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson sentenced the defendant to 60.3 months in prison.

“There is no way to justify this attack,” Miller told jurors. “And once he was out of that cell, I submit he took the first opportunity he had to throw another punch when he slipped the handcuff.”

The testimony and evidence proved that the defendant requested copies of legal paperwork and the correctional officer opened the defendant’s cell door to speak to him. The defendant became angry and punched the victim, who attempted to close the cell door.

The defendant swung again and jumped on top of the correctional officer, continuing his attack until subdued. While the defendant was being escorted to a confinement area by 2 correctional officers, he slipped one of his handcuffs and took another swing at the victim.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case and the correctional officers for the job they do that puts them at daily risk.

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

A Bay County jury on Tuesday found Lucas Rivera-Carmona, 52, guilty of several charges related to a shooting that left one man injured and endangered the lives of others, including a child.

State Attorney Larry Basford said Rivera-Carmona was found guilty of Attempted First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Shooting into a Building, and Child Abuse. The jury deliberated for 56 minutes after Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented the case.

Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. Sullivan is seeking to have Rivera-Carmona sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender, which increases the potential penalty.

“This case highlights the importance of swift and meticulous investigative work, as well as the bravery of victims and witnesses who come forward to ensure justice is served,” Sullivan said. “This type of violence will not be tolerated, and we will continue to use the legislative tools at our disposal, like the Habitual Felony Offender laws, to keep our community safe.”

The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 17, 2023, when Rivera-Carmona fired 4 shots into a West 17th Street apartment where his ex-wife, her new boyfriend, and a child were present. The defendant had been in the home and knew the location of the bed. All four bullets penetrated the headboard. One hit the boyfriend.

Sullivan called 8 witnesses and presented evidence gathered by the Panama City Police Department proving that Rivera-Carmona was upset that his ex-wife was in a new relationship. Witnesses testified that Rivera-Carmona threatened the couple, demanding that his ex-wife leave her boyfriend.

The day before the shooting, Rivera-Carmona went to the victims’ apartment, banged on the door, and told the woman he was armed. He later left voicemails threatening that something bad would happen if she didn’t comply. Early the next morning, Rivera-Carmona fired multiple shots into the apartment’s bedroom, where the ex-wife and her boyfriend were sleeping.

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Panama City Police Department investigators quickly identified Rivera-Carmona as the suspect. A firearm wrapped in a shirt and a hat were recovered outside his residence. Testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed the gun was used in the shooting and matched Rivera-Carmona’s DNA to the clothing.

State Attorney Larry Basford commended the thorough work of the Panama City Police Department and the cooperation of the victims in securing this conviction.

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

State Attorney Larry Basford is proud to welcome Christopher Walters, a Panama City native, to its prosecutorial team.

Walters, born and raised in Bay County, graduated from Rutherford High School before pursuing higher education and a career path that ultimately brought him back to serve his community.

After graduating from UF, Walters decided to pursue his law degree at the University of Maryland Law School to be closer to his grandfather and dad.

“Going to school and living in Baltimore was an eye-opening experience for someone from Panama City but was helpful in having compassion for people of all backgrounds and shaped me into a more well-rounded person,” Walters said.

After law school, Walters served as a judicial law clerk for Maryland Circuit Court Judge Richard Sandy, where he gained invaluable insight into the justice system.

“It was a good experience being able to see what the great attorneys were doing in court versus the other attorneys,” Walters said. “To be able to talk with the Judge after court and gain insight as to how things should be done was important for me. With what he shared, I was able to learn a lot about the importance of being prepared for court and the importance of being a zealous advocate. But maybe most importantly I learned to always be professional and fair in court.”

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Walters passed the Maryland Bar before deciding to return to Panama City during the COVID-19 pandemic to be closer to his family. Upon his return, he took and passed the Florida Bar, allowing him to begin practicing law in his home state. He spent about 18 months with the 14th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, gaining hands-on experience in criminal law, followed by a year in private practice. However, Walters soon realized he missed the courtroom.

“I appreciate both sides of it, and I understand and respect the defendant’s constitutional rights” he said. “But it can be tough sometimes based on what they are accused of doing. I’d rather be on the prosecutorial side because I can make a bigger difference.”

Walters said the work has become his passion. “I enjoy criminal law. I wake up excited to go to work, this is so much more than just a job. I grew up in Bay County and I love this place. I want to give back in any way I can. Hopefully, I can make the community a little safer.”

Walters is married to Christian Sullivan, who also practices law in Bay County. For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.

Gage Michael Griner, 17, of Southport, who was charged with Second-Degree Felony Murder under Florida’s felony murder statute, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading no contest, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Griner, 14 at the time of the death, was charged due to his involvement in an apparent drug rip-off style robbery of Savien Craven, another juvenile. Prosecutor Peter Overstreet presented testimony at Craven’s February trial that showed a scuffle broke out during the robbery and Griner was stabbed multiple times by Craven. Jacob Adam Revis ran and made it about 110 yards with Craven chasing him before tripping and falling in a ditch. Craven stabbed Revis to death in the ditch.

Craven was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder at his February trial and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

Griner was also sentenced to 5 additional years in prison for Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility following his arrest in the 2021 murder. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson ordered that sentence to be served consecutive, or separate from, the 30-year sentence.

Griner was charged with Second-Degree Felony Murder under Florida’s felony murder statute. Florida’s felony murder statute punishes individuals who commit certain enumerated felonies, such as robbery, where a human being is killed during that felony, by a person other than the person engaged in the perpetration of or in the attempt to perpetrate such felony. Examples would be two bank robbers who attempt to rob a bank and one of the robbers is shot and killed by a police officer as they try to get away. Florida’s laws punish those who commit these dangerous felonies and lives are lost as a result.

“This case shows the abundant dangers involved in the use and purchase of any illegal narcotic,” Overstreet said. “Five families’ lives are changed forever and one life was lost, which is why we continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove illegal drugs from our streets, prosecute those who sell them, and keep them out of the hands of our children.”

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Basford thanked the Lynn Haven Police Department for its thorough investigation, and the witnesses who came forward to testify.

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

A man who strangled his friend and then had sex with a woman in the room during a trip to Panama City Beach was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Scottie Jay Black, 43, of Tonalea, Ariz., was found guilty as charged of Second-Degree Murder last month in the Oct. 3, 2021 death of Tyrell James Sagg, 41, of Rock Point, Ariz. Both areas are part of the Navajo Nation, where Black was ultimately picked up for questioning.

The case began Oct. 3, 2021, when the defendant and the victim’s girlfriend reported finding him dead on the floor of their Panama City Beach hotel room. The three were here for vacation. There were no visible injuries on the victim.

An autopsy showed internal injuries consistent with strangulation. The Panama City Beach Police Department’s investigation showed Black used the victim’s ATM card after his death and fled. Prosecutors Peter Overstreet and Nadia DeAbreu presented the case to jurors.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet told Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark that while no one knows exactly how events unfolded that night in the hotel room, the defendant did some good things in his life and was not the typical repeat offender. However, he also noted the defendant declined to take responsibility for his actions, that death by strangulation is painful, and that the defendant was indifferent after the fact.

Specifically, Overstreet pointed out that after the defendant committed the murder, he had sex with a woman on an adjacent bed.

“And then he just went on living life as if nothing had happened,” Overstreet said. “Those are pretty aggravating circumstances after someone’s dead.

“But I think Mr. Sagg’s family is right: the defendant’s family can pick up the phone and call him in prison, they can have visitations, maybe one day he’ll get out, but they’ll always have a connection,” Overstreet said. “Mr. Saggs’ family won’t. They’re left with memories, with his children not having their father to see their accomplishments.

“I think a sufficient time for Mr. Black, based on his age, is 40 years in prison.”

After hearing from the defense and the defendant, who apologized to the family for his actions, Judge Clark handed down his sentence. He said the most important event of that night was clear.

“I do know there’s one thing that happened in that room that night – a person lost his life,” Clark said. “He didn’t take it from himself. And the defendant’s actions right after that are suspect at best.”

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Clark, saying he weighed the words of the victim’s family, the defendant and the prosecutor, agreed that a 40-year sentence was appropriate.

Basford thanked the Panama City Beach Police Department for its thorough and lengthy investigation, which took them all the way to the Navajo Nation in Arizona.

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

Sentencing is set for February for a woman who pled No Contest to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Pamela Lynn Wilson, 66, of Panama City, pled No Contest Monday to Grand Theft over $100,000 and Organized Scheme to Defraud (more than $50,000). Wilson entered an “open plea,” meaning there is no agreement regarding her sentence, which will be decided by the judge.

Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for Feb. 7. Each crime is a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet was prepared to present witnesses and evidence proving the defendant orchestrated false payouts, over a period of years, that the victims believe totaled between $800,000 and $1 million.

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The evidence would have shown two business owners traveled to the Panama City Police Department in 2022 to report a theft by their primary bookkeeper. The two described the defendant as a trusted employee, but they discovered about nine checks they had not authorized totaling more than $20,000 written to another business.

Further investigation of the company’s finances showed hundreds of suspicious payouts – almost always $2,500 – to the same business. That business’ records, maintained back to 2018, showed it had received no payments from the victim. The victim’s books showed about $400,000 in payments during that same period.

Basford thanked Panama City police for their work on the case, and the victims who provided valuable information to the investigation.

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

A man found guilty Oct. 31 of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Conrad Raymond Forrence, 36, of Panama City Beach, will serve the first 7 years of that as a minimum-mandatory sentence under Florida’s enhanced drug trafficking statutes.

Prosecutors sought for the defendant to be sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender based on previous convictions for Trafficking in Amphetamine, Burglary, and Possession of Methamphetamine. At the Nov. 12 sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young also ordered a $100,000 fine.

Prosecutors presented 6 witnesses and evidence at trial proving the defendant drove to Pensacola on July 11, 2023, to pick up the methamphetamine and bring it back to Bay County. The evidence showed the defendant expected ¼ ounce of the drug as payment.

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Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division pulled over the defendant for speeding and other traffic violations that night. Inv. Doug Cummings’ K-9 “Fila” conducted a free air sniff around the vehicle and alerted for the presence of narcotics.

During a search of the car, Lt. Doug Smith noticed smudges on the cover near the “air handler” under the hood. Investigators focused their search and found a black bag attached to the firewall with a strong magnet. In that bag they found 5 packages, each holding about 1 ounce of methamphetamine.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its work.

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

A football injury propelled Andrew Eppling into the field of law, and he hasn’t looked back as he joins our team of prosecutors at the State Attorney’s Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A native of both Florida and Georgia, Eppling initially planned on joining the military before going into law. His trajectory changed in high school, however, when a back injury sustained while playing football shifted his focus toward the legal field.

Determined to serve his community in a new way, Eppling obtained his law degree and began his search across the southeast. When he interviewed with State Attorney Larry Basford and his team, Eppling knew he’d found the right fit.

“When I got on the call with Mr. Basford and his team, I was talking about what I thought a prosecutor could do and my vision of justice,” Eppling said. “I listened to what they wanted to do and how they approach the law, and it really lined up with how I feel. I knew that this is where I wanted to be. I have felt great peace about it ever since.”

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Eppling’s path to the State Attorney’s Office included experience as a law clerk in two different prosecutors’ offices, where he gained firsthand insight into the criminal justice system. Clerking exposed him to real-world exposure to inmates, police officers, judges, and attorneys. Through that, Eppling developed an understanding of the system’s many layers and the importance of remembering that everyone is human and deserves to be treated fairly.

“These experiences taught me that for our system to work, all its components must strive to operate as effectively as possible,” Eppling explained. “I also learned that the human element cannot be forgotten. The criminal justice system is dealing with people’s lives and freedoms. We must pursue excellence not just in our technical work but in the human aspect as well.”

Eppling earned his law degree from Liberty University School of Law.

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

 

Port St. Joe, FL — It was not a long drive, but Jarred Patterson has returned to his home of Gulf County to serve as the Chief Prosecutor, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Born and raised in Port St. Joe, Patterson returns to 14^th Judicial Circuit with the experience gained serving about 16 years as a prosecutor in Franklin County, part of the 2^nd Judicial Circuit. For 12 of those years he served as the Chief Prosecutor for Franklin County.

“It is really good to be back home,” Patterson said. “I have this opportunity to work in the community where I live, where my children go to school, and help keep it a safer place for everyone. I’m a lifelong resident here, as were my parents and grandparents.”

This new role marks Patterson’s return to the 14th Judicial Circuit, where he began his career.

Having grown up in Port St. Joe and now raising his own family here, Patterson is committed to fostering justice and safety in the community. He said his deep-rooted ties to the area give him a unique perspective on the values and needs of residents.

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Basford said Patterson’s return to Gulf County reinforces the SAO’s commitment to bringing the highest level of expertise and integrity to its work.

We look forward to the positive impact Patterson will make in his new role.

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

Bay County’s newest prosecutor is a born-and-raised east coast Floridian with a desire to provide compassion and justice – and enjoy the family atmosphere and variety of outdoor activities the area provides.

Jada Watkins, 24, was born and raised in Melbourne She is familiar with Florida’s beaches along the Atlantic coast.

But a Spring Break trip here when she was an undergraduate at Florida State University stuck with her. After graduating from the Barry University School of Law and passing the Florida Bar, she decided her next move would keep her in Florida and near the beaches – with a bonus.

“I was somewhat familiar with the Panhandle and its beautiful beaches, and I knew I wanted to work ‘back up north’ because I loved my time in Tallahassee,” she said. “This is just a perfect environment for me because it has the beaches, and as an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast the trails here are wonderful.”

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Watkins said those attributes were a bonus to what she discovered during her application and interview process: “This office was the one gracious enough to have me come out and meet everyone before I even accepted the job. That was one of the main reasons I accepted the job, the hospitality I was shown and how welcome everyone was when I came here.

“I felt like I was already part of the family before I even joined it.”

Watkins’ goal is to make a positive impact on the community and learn.

“I want to embrace this job understanding that everyone deserves individual attention, every case is different,” she said. “I wanted to be somewhere where I felt included and where I could learn and would get guidance and support. And this is where I felt I could get that.”

For more information, contact Mike Cazalas atmike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850–381–7454.