Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on June 28, 2018, a Jackson County jury found Daniel Jacob Craven, Jr., guilty as charged of First Degree Murder in the death of his cellmate at the Graceville Correctional Facility. On June 29, 2018, the twelve-member jury recommended a sentence of death by a unanimous vote.

Evidence presented at the trial demonstrated that while incarcerated at the Graceville Correctional Facility, Craven murdered his cellmate, John H. Anderson, on June 28, 2015, by repeatedly stabbing him with a shank. During the trial, the jury heard testimony that Craven killed his cellmate because they were of different races and religions, and because Craven wanted to start a race riot in prison.

Evidence presented during the penalty phase of the trial demonstrated that Craven was at the Graceville Correctional Facility serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of Ronald Justice. Craven had been having an affair with Justice’s wife, and beat Justice with a baseball bat outside of the home where Justice was staying, while Justice begged for his life. He then handcuffed Justice and drowned him in a dog bowl.

The case was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford and Assistant State Attorney Laura Parish. Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson set sentencing for September 4, 2018.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on June 26, 2018, a Bay County jury found Billy Dean Lay guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting an Officer Without Violence, and Use or Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia.  During the one-day trial, the State presented evidence showing that on June 11, 2017, Bay County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Young was investigating a burglary in the area of Grand Lagoon Shores Dr. and North Lagoon Dr.  When he observed the Defendant in the area, Deputy Young tried to make contact with the Defendant and his Co-Defendant, who promptly ran in opposite directions.  Deputy Young gave chase to Billy Dean Lay and located him hiding in a bush, surrounded by the discarded methamphetamine and the paraphernalia.  When the Deputy attempted to take the Defendant into custody, the Defendant fled again.  Deputy Young was able to catch the Defendant and bring him to the ground where the Defendant continued to resist the officer.  Thanks to the help of a Good Samaritan who stopped to assist Deputy Young, they were able to get the Defendant under control and arrested him.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Alexis Sykes and investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.  Presiding Judge A. Keith Brace will set sentencing at a later date.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on June 21, 2018, Michael Shaun Barfield was found guilty by a Bay County jury of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Felony Battery, and Battery.  During the trial the victim, a long time survivor of domestic abuse from her companion of almost 15 years, described the traumatic abuse that occurred the night of July 2, 2017, in which the Defendant strangled her and rammed her car several times with his as she attempted to flee.  The victim sustained injuries to her face, and mouth as well as nerve damage and a laceration to her arm causing severe bleeding.  Investigators Jared Turner and Brent Roberts with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office testified as to their investigations and the severity of the victim’s injuries as well as the condition of the scene when they responded.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nichole Pieper and Barbara Beasley.  Circuit Court Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced the Defendant to 8 years in the Department of Corrections.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on June 21, 2018, Brandon Maurice Turntime entered a plea to Second Degree Felony Murder and Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm and was sentenced to 25 years in the Department of Corrections, with the first 10 years to be served day-for-day due to the 10-20-Life law.  On December 4, 2017, the Defendant and Peyton Meyers, both armed with firearms, broke into an apartment on the 5th floor at the 100 building of 79 West Apartments and told the occupants to get on the floor, demanding drugs and money.  As the Defendant and Meyers left, one of the occupants attacked Meyers, attempting to retrieve her property. During the struggle with the occupant, Meyers appeared to be attempting to shoot the occupant that had attacked him and at that moment one of the other occupants shot Meyers two times.  The Defendant fled the scene but was apprehended a short distance from the crime scene. Meyers was pronounced dead at the scene.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Mark E. Graham and the case was investigated by the Panama City Beach Police Department.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

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

On June 8, 2018, a Jackson County Grand Jury returned an indictment for First Degree Murder against Frederick W. Patterson III, age 21, for killing his cellmate, Arthur Williams, by beating him with his fists and feet.

The homicide occurred at the Jackson County Correctional Facility in Marianna on January 15, 2018.  It was investigated by the Marianna Police Department.

Patterson is currently serving a Life sentence for Second Degree Murder.  On October 2, 2015, Patterson, while housed at Apalachee Correctional Institution in Sneads, Florida, used his hands and feet to beat his cellmate, Scott Collinsworth, to death.  He will be arraigned on June 19, 2018, before Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that 76 year old William Hawk was sentenced to 25 years in prison after accepting a plea to two counts of second degree murder and one count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.  On February 11, 2017, Hawk shot and killed his girlfriend, Mary Reed and her friend, Kassi Henderson at Mrs. Reed’s home in Jackson County.  When confronted by arresting deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Hawk refused to drop his handgun and was subsequently shot.

Hawk recovered from his injuries, but was then sent to the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee after being found legally incompetent to proceed.  On June 5, 2018, Judge Chris Patterson found Hawk restored to competency based on the most recent evaluation from the State Hospital.  Hawk acknowledged that by accepting the 25 year offer, it would most likely amount to a life sentence for a man of his age.  “I understand that I will die in prison”, Hawk told Judge Patterson.  The case was prosecuted by Bob Sombathy, Chief of Major Crimes and the lead investigator was Sgt. Billy Benton of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on May 31, 2018, Deanthony Dinkins, 20, pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison by Circuit Judge Brantley Clark.  Dinkins murdered his cellmate at the Bay County jail on October 11, 2017, by striking Jordan Whitsett multiple times in the head with 2 dinner trays wrapped inside a sheet.  Dinkins later confessed to the murder in a statement taken by Lieutenant Chris Coram of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Bob Sombathy, Chief of Major Crimes.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, Darius White was found guilty by a Bay County jury of Possession of Marijuana in Excess of 20 Grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the Panama City Police Department Street Investigations Unit executed a search warrant on the Defendant’s girlfriend’s house on December 29, 2017, and located approximately 400 grams of marijuana throughout the house, as well as various drug paraphernalia.  During the trial, the State presented testimony from Corporal Darby Gay of PCPD, and the jury heard jail calls that were made while the search warrant was being served where the Defendant claimed ownership of the marijuana.  Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet scheduled sentencing for June 11, 2018.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Peter Overstreet.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Friday, May 25, 2018, a Washington County jury convicted Danny Underwood of two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and three counts of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.  Testimony revealed that Underwood had fired several shots from a .22 caliber revolver after his wife had engaged in a verbal altercation with neighbors.  The shooting resulted in damage to two vehicles and injury to an 18-year old man that was attempting to break up the argument.  Circuit Judge Timothy Register scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2018.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.

Press Release

The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, a Washington County jury convicted Joseph McLeroy of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Child Abuse, and Driving on a Suspended License.  McLeroy, whose license was suspended at the time, led officers on a chase through the City of Chipley.  During the chase McLeroy failed to obey traffic signs and nearly avoided at least one accident.  Once McLeroy’s vehicle was stopped, a 19-month old child was found in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.  The child was not restrained in a car seat.  According to McLeroy’s testimony, he had picked the child up in Panama City, FL and was transporting the child home to a local residence.  Circuit Judge Timothy Register scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2018.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat.

For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.