A woman whose victims say stole more than $1 million from their business over nearly a decade was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Pamela Lynn Wilson, 66, of Panama City, previously entered an “open plea” of No Contest to Grand Theft over $100,000 and Organized Scheme to Defraud (more than $50,000). An “open plea” means Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay would decide the sentence.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet was prepared to present witnesses and evidence proving the defendant, over a period of years, orchestrated false payouts that the victims believed totaled between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

An audit conducted after $22,000 went missing in 2022 showed a total of 485 fraudulent checks totaling $1.22 million were written during that time, an employee said at Friday’s sentencing.

“When someone steals this type of money, it’s not like stealing a TV from Wal-Mart, this is different,” said Overstreet, who noted the defendant interacted daily with the victims while knowing she was financially damaging their lives and business. “That’s a very cold thing to do to a whole bunch of other people who trusted you.”

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The defendant apologized to the family before her attorney asked for a 34.5-month sentence.

“They did not deserve what I did to them,” she said to Judge Gay. “I want them to know truthfully how sorry I am. I fell into a hole of gambling addiction.”

Overstreet asked for a 20-year sentence, pointing to the victim’s testimony that the financial loss damaged their business, paychecks, retirements, and income.

“Addiction is a horrible thing,” he said. “But she was treating (the victim’s business) like an ATM machine. She went back to get more over and over and over … and because everyone trusted her, she continued to siphon money away from this business.”

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 facing multiple charges for driving under the influence and causing a wreck that killed 2 people in 2022 was sentenced to 40 years in prison Tuesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

As jurors lined up outside the courtroom for the start of the trial Tuesday, Jacob Hunter Michael, 25, of Panama City, pled No Contest to 2 counts of DUI-Manslaughter, and 1 count of DUI With Serious Bodily Injury. He could have faced up to Life in prison if convicted as charged.

Tallulah Montez Beaman Ellis and her daughter, Tammy R. Hughes, died May 10, 2022, when the defendant’s car hit them from behind at about 130 mph on John Pitts Road. Hughes’ then-9-year-old granddaughter was critically injured.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Mark Graham told Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark the families of both victims, present in the courtroom, approved the plea before it was offered.

“This case is a real tragedy, as is the case with most DUI-Manslaughters,” Graham said. “You have the Ellis and Hughes families that lost a mother and daughter – leaving behind great-grandchildren, grandchildren, children and more. And that’s forever.

“Then you have the defendant who is a relatively young man with no criminal record and he’s going to prison for 40 years from one bad night of making bad choices.”

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Graham was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence from the Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation that the defendant was eastbound on John Pitts Road at about 130 mph when it topped an incline and ran into the rear of the victim’s vehicle.

The defendant’s Dodge Charger spun off and caught fire. He was pulled to safety. The victims’ vehicle was crushed, killing Ellis – who was driving – and Hughes. Hughes’ daughter suffered critical injuries but recovered.

Basford thanked the FHP for it’s work at the scene that night and putting together a strong case.

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

BONIFAY – Christopher Martin McLean has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and related charges after pleading no contest Wednesday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

McLean, 35, of Westville, pled no contest to the manslaughter charge, Aggravated Child Abuse, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Resisting an Officer without Violence. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts adjudicated the defendant guilty of all charges and entered the 22-year sentence. McLean is the father of the victim.

Kathreen June Adams, 24, the co-defendant and mother of the 23-month-old victim, previously pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Aggravated Child Abuse. She is awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence proving the defendants were high on methamphetamine when they returned home after midnight May 16, 2023, and left the toddler in Adams’ car until mid-afternoon. The child died from hyperthermia.

“This is a sad case where there are no winners, only losers,” Overstreet said. “Drug addiction led to an innocent child dying needlessly.”

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The evidence would have shown the defendants stopped and bought methamphetamine, and used it, before picking up the two children from the babysitter after Adams got off work. They got home sometime after midnight May 16, 2023.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office was called to the home around 3 p.m. Deputies found the child unresponsive with a body temperature around 107 degrees. Both parents initially claimed they found the child that way in her bed.

During questioning, Adams relented and said when she and McLean returned home after midnight, the 4-year-old was brought inside but neither parent brought in the 23-month-old.

Adams, who said she had been using meth for days without sleep, fell asleep on the couch. McLean also fell asleep.

Adams awakened sometime before 3 p.m. and realized her daughter was not in the house. She found her unresponsive in the car.

Testimony would have shown McLean coached Adams to lie and say they found the child in her bed.

Basford thanked the HCSO for its work on the case and helping gather evidence that would lead to the manslaughter charges.

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

State Attorney Larry Basford announces the newest addition to the circuit’s felony prosecutorial team – Brea Dearing.

With experience in both criminal and civil litigation, Dearing brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to justice to our office.

“I am looking forward to returning to working in criminal court,” Dearing said. “This position is particularly interesting to me as someone who loves this area of the state and is passionate about ensuring that it continues to be a safe place for families to live and work.”

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Ms. Dearing’s legal career includes four years as an assistant public defender, where she managed cases ranging from juvenile matters to homicides. Her well-rounded litigation background will strengthen our ability to seek justice for victims and hold offenders accountable.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Dearing earned her law degree from the Florida State University College of Law. She recently relocated back to the Florida Panhandle to be closer to family and friends.

State Attorney Larry Basford welcomed Dearing to the office.

“Brea Dearing’s dedication to the legal profession and her passion for this community are evident in her work. We are thrilled to have her on our team and look forward to the positive impact she will make.”

Please join us in welcoming Dearing to the State Attorney’s Office and the 14th Judicial Circuit.

The 14^th Judicial Circuit has a new prosecutor, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Andrew Hosek will be handling misdemeanor cases in Bay County, an area he has previously visited and one with which he is quickly growing fond.

“I have been to Bay County and the surrounding counties a few times before relocating here,” he said. “The area is very quickly growing on me. The new people I have met so far have been nothing but welcoming to me and to my family.”

Hosek is a graduate of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Faulkner University, where he was president of the Faulkner Federalist Society. He also was a Coke Fellow at the Blackstone & Burke Center for Law and Liberty.

A Coke Fellow is a prestigious fellowship program for lawyers who are selected to participate in advanced legal training and professional development.

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Hosek is from Michigan and grew up in west-central Ohio.

Working in various political and policy roles in Tallahassee, he became drawn to “the way lawyers attack complex problems,” and decided to go to law school. It was after he completed law school and readied to take the Florida Bar that he decided he wanted to be a prosecutor.

“Although I greatly enjoyed my criminal law courses throughout law school, I had not considered pursuing it professionally until discovering just how much I enjoyed my time studying state criminal procedure while preparing for the Florida Bar Exam,” he said.

A friend’s recommendation about the area drew Hosek in, and he looks forward to serving the community.

“As a new prosecutor, I have taken to heart one of the great precepts of my faith: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God,” he said. “As I grow into my role, a sincere pursuit of justice will inform everything I do.

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

A Panama City man Monday was sentenced to Life in prison, on top of various other prison terms, for firing 4 shots into his ex-wife’s home and striking her boyfriend, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark sentenced Lucas Rivera-Carmona, 52, to Life in prison for Attempted First-Degree Premeditated murder in the Aug. 17, 2023 shooting. A jury found Rivera-Carmona guilty of that charge Dec. 4, along with Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Shooting into an Occupied Building, and Child Abuse.

Clark sentenced the defendant to 25 years on second Attempted Murder charge, with 20 years of that being minimum/mandatory. Clark gave the defendant 15 years for shooting into the building, and 5 years for child abuse. Additionally, the defendant had been placed on probation for being a felon with a firearm shortly before the shooting in this case. He received 10 more years for violating that probation.

“The State is asking for Life,” Prosecutor Frank Sullivan told Judge Clark at sentencing. He said the lengthy penalty was appropriate, “because this was the second offense with a firearm within such a short period of time.”

Sullivan called 8 witnesses at trial 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.

“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.”

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Rivera-Carmona fired 4 shots into a West 17th Street apartment where his ex-wife, her new boyfriend, and a child were present. All 4 bullets passed through the headboard of the occupants’ bed and one struck the boyfriend.

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.

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.