BONIFAY: A man with an active Oregon warrant for attempted murder caught in Holmes County after deputies were called to a possible kidnapping at a rest stop was sentenced to 8 years in prison Tuesday on the charge of convicted felon possessing a firearm.

State Attorney Larry Basford announced David Eugene Grant, 39, of Oregon, was found guilty by a Holmes County jury after deliberating for 10 minutes. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts sentenced the defendant to 8 years in prison.

Holmes County Chief Prosecutor Jacob Cook called 3 witnesses and presented evidence proving the defendant, a convicted felon, was in possession of a shotgun and a revolver when deputies pulled him over June 18, 2024.

“We take a hard line on felons possessing firearms, especially ones with violent criminal histories, which was the case with this defendant,” Cook said. “Our community is a safer place now that David Grant is behind bars for the next 8 years.”

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According to testimony and evidence, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office was notified there was a possible kidnapping involving the suspect holding a woman against her will in a Chevrolet Impala at a rest stop near Ponce de Leon on County Road 81.

Deputy Cory Guster responded and spotted a car matching the description leaving the area and pulled it over. The car was subsequently searched, and when a deputy pulled a suitcase out of the trunk, he saw a Remington 12-gauge shotgun underneath it. Inside the bag, deputies found a .38-caliber revolver hidden in a sock.

The defendant, based on a previous conviction in Oregon for escape, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and driving without a valid driver’s license. A warrant check also showed he was wanted in Oregon for Attempted Murder in a shooting that occurred less than a month earlier.

Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its quick response to the initial call and follow-up work that led to the recovery of the weapons.

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

A man charged with fleeing from authorities, throwing more than 700 grams of methamphetamine into the woods after abandoning his vehicle, and leaving behind 44 ounces of marijuana in his SUV, was found guilty as charged Wednesday evening.

State Attorney Larry Basford said Elvis Mark Hartrick, 49, of Fountain, was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison by Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson following the verdict.

Hartrick was sentenced to 25 years for Trafficking in Methamphetamine (200 or more grams), and 5 years each for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of More than 20 grams of Marijuana. Judge Stephenson ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, or one after the other. The defendant received time served for tampering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This defendant possessed a large amount of methamphetamine (750 grams) and has a lengthy criminal history involving drugs that includes three prior prison sentences,” Prosecutor Ryan Phillips said. “His actions in this case show that is not going to change, that he was continuing to endanger the community, and he is going where he needs to be for a long time.”

Phillips called 7 witnesses – 6 of them Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in the case – and presented evidence that led to the jury returning its verdicts in about 30 minutes.

The testimony and evidence showed the Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Division was conducting an operation on the defendant, who was wanted on Federal warrants.

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While conducting surveillance and with a Sheriff’s Office helicopter in the air, an investigator in an unmarked vehicle with emergency lights and siren attempted to stop the defendant for speeding on County 2301. The defendant sped off and other unmarked vehicles joined the chase across dirt roads, down a trail that led back to the highway and ultimately through a yard and behind a dwelling at the dead-end of Gainer Road.

Video from the Sheriff’s Office’s Air One, equipped with special heat-seeking cameras, showed the defendant run into the woods and throw a bag off to the side before running deeper into the woods. The helicopter was able to keep track of the defendant until deputies on the ground could get to him.

The thrown bag had about 750 grams of methamphetamine in it. Inside the defendant’s vehicle deputies found about 934 grams of marijuana and 1-4 Butanediol, used to make GHB – commonly referred to as “Georgia Home Boy” or “Scoop.”

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for its proactive approach in keeping that amount of drugs off the street. He also noted the importance of the video provided by Air One.

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

 

State Attorney’s Office Inv. John Pettis is one of 45 participants from criminal justice agencies across the state to graduate from the Florida Leadership Academy, State Attorney Larry Basford announced..

These graduates serve in leadership roles representing 34 criminal justice agencies. Applicants were selected from all the state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to attend, and grateful for the support and opportunity to learn from people who excel in their field,” said Pettis, assigned to the SAO offices in Washington and Holmes counties. “It is something I will carry with me in my day-to-day work and I look forward to continuing my education and training to better serve the citizens of the 14th Judicial Circuit.”

The graduates met for four week-long sessions at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center. They learned skills necessary to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges.

The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader.

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Other local graduates included: Brent Roberts and J.P.Ferrell, Bay County Sheriff’s Office; Christopher Black, Florida State University Police Department; Anthony Calasso and Matthew Kelly, Panama City Police Department; and Wade McKeeby, Panama City Beach Police Department.

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

 

A Vernon man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading no contest to Trafficking in more than 28 grams of Fentanyl, announced State Attorney Larry Basford.

Sean Thomas Terry, 25, was adjudicated guilty by Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark, who accepted the plea.

The defendant’s trial was set to begin Thursday, with jury selection completed Monday. However, he opted to enter a plea Wednesday morning.

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The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney J.P. Ferreira, who said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

“This defendant was found unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle filled with a lethal amount of fentanyl – enough to end hundreds of lives,” Ferreira said. “We were fully prepared to present evidence and witnesses, but this plea ensures justice and protects our community.”

Ferreira was prepared to present witnesses and evidence showing the defendant was arrested on Feb. 7, 2023, around 9:30 a.m. Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies found him unconscious in his vehicle, which was blocking a bank’s ATM. He showed signs he was under the influence of an unknown substance.

Deputies found a small pill bottle in his pocket containing pills that tested positive for fentanyl. He was arrested at the scene, and during a subsequent inventory of the vehicle, deputies discovered a fanny pack behind the driver’s seat. Inside was a black plastic bag containing several smaller baggies that held approximately 119 grams of fentanyl.

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

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

MARIANNA – A 28-year-old man found guilty of robbing and killing a 92-year-old veteran with a shotgun blast was sentenced to Life in prison Thursday following his trial, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A 12-person Jackson County jury found Juqon T. Douglas guilty of First Degree Murder with a Firearm and Robbery with a Firearm. The victim, Chatman Adams, a veteran known as “Sarge” to his neighbors, was killed in his home Aug. 19, 2018. Jurors deliberated for about an hour.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet provided records showing Douglas had only been out of prison about 15 months when the shooting occurred. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia sentenced Douglas to Life in prison on both counts as a Prison Releasee Reoffender.

Overstreet called 13 witnesses and presented evidence ranging from cell phone records and bodycam video to DNA and statements made by the defendant to prove his case during the 2-day trial.

“I want to thank the Marianna Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the community for helping find justice for Mr. Adams,” Overstreet said. “Mr. Adams, everyone knew him as ‘Sarge,’ was a well-known and loved member of the community, and that showed as witnesses came forward to help this case come together.”

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The testimony and evidence proved that the defendant had been to the victim’s house a few days before the murder on Oct. 17, 2018, and that the victim sometimes sold small amounts of liquor. On Oct. 17 when a female acquaintance wanted something to drink, the defendant told her he knew someone and took her to the victim’s house.

She testified that she walked to the front door, the defendant following behind. The victim answered the door holding a shotgun, asked what she wanted, and let her in to buy a bottle. She testified she gave the victim a $10 bill, but as she was walking out, the defendant walked in.

She said she left and got back in the car. Within a minute or two, she said she heard a loud noise, and the defendant returned to the car. She said he was carrying the same weapon the victim had when she was in the house. She testified the defendant said he had killed Adams.

Medical Examiner Dr. Jay Radtke testified the victim died almost immediately from a single shotgun wound to the neck.

Basford thanked the Marianna Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their work on the case.

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

 

BLOUNTSTOWN – A Calhoun County jury found Charles Matthew Gable guilty of Second-Degree Murder Thursday in the September 2023 death of 29-year-old Brittany Jordana Dykes, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young set a sentencing date in May.

Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor Bill Wright presented witnesses and evidence proving the defendant and the victim were at the defendant’s residence when an argument broke out Sept. 24, 2023. The evidence showed that the defendant, who was intoxicated, became angry at the victim and repeatedly punched her in the head, face and upper body while also strangling her.

“Brittany and her family deserved to see her killer held accountable and brought to justice,” Wright said. “We hope this verdict, which was the result of a team effort between the Calhoun County Sheriffs Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Calhoun County State Attorney’s Office, will help bring them some relief.”

Medical Examiner Dr. Jay Radtke testified it would have taken at least one minute to strangle the victim. The defense argued the defendant acted in the heat of the moment and should be found guilty of a lesser crime, like manslaughter. Prosecutor Wright, however, pointed to Dr. Radtke’s testimony that the strangulation alone lasted at least one minute. He directed the jury’s attention to the courtroom clock, waited until the second hand reached the 6, and said, “Let’s see how long one minute is.”The courtroom fell silent while the second hand ticked away.

“That’s longer than you thought, isn’t it?” Wright said as the minute ended. “That was the longest minute in Brittany’s life. You don’t think while he’s doing that, that he doesn’t know what he’s doing?”

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The autopsy results showed Dykes suffered multiple blows to the head and chest, in addition to the injuries caused by strangulation.

The evidence also showed the defendant and another man placed the victim’s body in the trunk of a car over night. The next day, Gable drove 18 miles and rolled the body into a small creek off the road.

Basford thanked the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their thorough investigation and work on the case.

For further information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov.

PANAMA CITY, FL – State Attorney Larry Basford announced Monday that a man convicted earlier this month of sexually abusing a child has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

James Matthew Hernandez, 37, must serve a minimum-mandatory 25 years of that sentence. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson also designated Hernandez a Sexual Predator and imposed a lifetime of probation following his release.

The defendant elected to have Judge Stephenson decide the case rather than a jury.

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At the March 11 trial, Prosecutor Morgan McAfee presented evidence and called witnesses, including the victim – who was under the age of 10 at the time of the 2022 crime.

“This outcome demonstrates our dedication to protecting the innocence of the children of Bay County and punishing those who violate it,” McAfee said.

Basford also thanked the Parker Police Department and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for their work and dedication in bringing this case to justice.

For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov.

A Wewahitchka man was found guilty as charged Friday of molesting a child in Bay County more than 10 years ago, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Henry Hollis Mangum, 59, was found guilty of 2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. The 6-person jury deliberated about 20 minutes after hearing the case presented by Prosecutor Brea Dearing.

Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for May 6. The defendant faces a minimum 25-year sentence.

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Dearing called 4 witnesses, including the victim who was under 10 years of age at the time of the offense, and presented evidence proving Mangum molested the child. The crime was initially unreported, but a series of events in 2021 led to the disclosure.

A forensic interview by an Alabama child protection team and other evidence gathered proved the victim’s case.

“We are pleased we got a result that reflects she was telling the truth when she disclosed this sexual abuse to her mom, the police, and today to a jury,” Dearing said. “It was a tough day for her, but now she doesn’t have to worry about him harming her again.”

Dearing noted the importance of the verdict on a crime that was reported years after it occurred, because it shows other sexual abuse victims that they will be heard if they come forward.

Basford thanked both the Alabama agencies initially involved in the investigation and the Panama City Police Department for gathering the evidence to build a strong case.

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

Ryan Phillips, a lifelong resident of this area who has handled thousands of felony cases, is now a prosecutor for the 14^th Judicial Circuit, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Phillips, 40, most recently worked at Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., as a disaster relief attorney. From 2013 until 2020, he worked at the Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender handling criminal cases.

“I like being in front of a judge and a jury, interacting with the clerks and staff and just being in the courtroom,” Phillips said.

Phillips was born in Chipley, graduated from Florida State University with a degree in finance, and then obtained his law degree from the University of Miami. Phillips and his wife Emily have been married for 13 years and have a son.

“The plan was never to be a criminal lawyer, but I fell in love with it,” he said.

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He enjoyed working for LSNF but wanted to be in the courtroom more often.

“There are certainly cases that involve allegations that are very troubling but, on balance, criminal law is interesting and fun,” he said. “Now I know just how miserable I would be sitting in a Miami law office drafting contracts.

“I feel like I’m older now and have the experience to avoid blind ambition and focus on fulfilling my constitutional mandate – to do justice,” he continued. “Justice is a matter of balance. The people we deal with, whether it be victims or defendants, are our neighbors.”

“Treating defendants with dignity and fairness bolsters the integrity of our justice system, and this can be maintained while striving to ensure that Bay County continues to be a safe place for our friends and family to reside.”

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

 

TALLAHASSEE  – The First District Court of Appeals Wednesday denied convicted murderer Dan Belc’s three-pronged appeal, leaving in place his conviction and Life sentence, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

State Attorney Larry Basford and Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor William Wright proved to a jury that Belc killed his wife, Judy, in 2018, shooting her multiple times at her family’s house in Blountstown. Belc had followed her after she left their home in Germany and decided to file for divorce. He was found guilty of First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault on Oct. 28, 2022. Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson sentenced him to Life in prison without parole.

The defendant, who represented himself at times after his arrest, appealed three related grounds:

• That the State improperly cross-examined him about pre-trial statements he made.
• That the Court erred in denying a motion for mistrial after the State asked him about those statements while he was on the stand.
• And that the Court erred in denying his motion to suppress statements he made to investigators that led them to a secondary crime scene.

In its opinion Wednesday, the DCA unanimously dismissed the appeal.

Belc’s first point of appeal was that his defense was prejudiced by the introduction at trial of his statements that he, “a foreigner” from Germany, could not get a fair trial in Calhoun County. He argued his conviction would have been impossible without jurors hearing those statements.

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But the justices noted, first, that the defense did not object to the questions about those statements at trial or move for a mistrial. Secondly, they said the evidence of premeditated murder “was particularly strong.”

“Belc admitted to shooting and killing his wife,” the opinion stated. “Belc had just purchased
and begun carrying a gun for the first time less than a week before shooting his wife, after learning of her plan to divorce him.”

On the second point regarding earlier statements Belc made about a plea, the justices ruled that Chief Judge Patterson correctly denied Belc’s request for a mistrial. They said it was Belc himself who introduced that evidence during his trial testimony when he testified “he had tried to plead guilty ‘many times’ to avoid trial.”

Finally, the justices ruled that the denial of the defendant’s motion to suppress also was proper. The opinion stated that while Belc “asked about an attorney,” he did not invoke his rights when specifically asked if he wanted an attorney present.

“But when given the choice of waiting for an attorney or immediately talking with investigators, Belc chose to continue talking,” the justices wrote.

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