Attempt to deliver drugs, phones to inmate lands woman in prison

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Admin SA

BLOUNTSTOWN – A woman who attempted to smuggle drugs, tobacco, and cell phones into the Calhoun Correctional Institution has been sentenced to 60 months in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Djuana Kay Whitfield, 55, of Lutz, pled no contest to Trafficking in Amphetamines (more than 14 grams), Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, and three counts of Introduction of Contraband into a State Correctional Facility. Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young sentenced her to 60 months in prison Sept. 23. The first three years are minimum-mandatory.

Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor Josh White was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence proving the defendant was concealing 54 grams of methamphetamine, two cell phones, and tobacco as she awaited entry into the facility to visit an inmate.

“The DOC and Office of Inspector General’s proactive intervention operation did what was intended – it stopped a large amount of contraband from entering the facility and caught the person responsible,” White said. “Operations like this, which are ongoing, show the DOC is serious about stopping the flow of contraband and holding accountable those who attempt it. This case shows the potential outcome for anyone considering this kind of behavior.”

A DOC investigator with contraband from defendant’s car.

The evidence gathered in the investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections, Office of Inspector General, showed there was a planned contraband interdiction operation at CCI on May 17, 2026.

DOC investigators and two drug-detecting K-9s planned a free-air sniff of vehicles in the staff and visitor parking areas. K-9 Csili, handled by Capt. Justin McDowell, alerted to the odor of narcotics from a silver Volkswagen Jetta. The vehicle belonged to the defendant, who was at a nearby pavilion awaiting entry into the facility.

A search of the vehicle revealed 2 grams of methamphetamine and a “cylindrical package” wrapped in black electrical tape in a suitcase in the rear of the vehicle.

DOC Det. Louis Cordova said the defendant then admitted she was concealing two more cylindrical packages “on her person.” Inside those packages, investigators found the 54 grams of methamphetamine, cell phones, and tobacco.

Basford thanked the DOC for being proactive in intercepting the contraband and its investigation that led to a successful prosecution. For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.

20-Year Prison Sentence for Fountain Meth Trafficker

Posted on October 6, 2026October 6, 2026 by Admin SA

A Fountain man was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined $100,000 Tuesday for Trafficking in 58 grams of Methamphetamine, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Armando Cavazos, 44, was found guilty Sept. 17 of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (between 28 grams and 200 grams) and Tampering with a Witness. The trafficking charge carried a minimum-mandatory 7-year prison sentence, and up to 30 years.

During sentencing, Prosecutor Christopher Walters asked for a stiff sentence and presented Bay County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jeremy Head, the case agent.

“These traffickers keep bringing in these deadly drugs with no thought of the consequences for themselves, the people they sell to, or the families of all involved,” Walters said. “He strategically used a person who was ‘easy prey’ that he could influence. I believe trafficking is a serious crime in and of itself, but when you add tampering to it, it makes it more serious.”

Cavazos was found guilty of contacting a witness from jail in an effort to place the blame on a co-defendant.

Sgt. Head told Judge Stephenson that while he would not ask for a specific sentence, he wanted the judge to know the harm that Cavazos and others like him have done to Fountain – where Head grew up. Head moved away but returned in 2010, dismayed by what he saw when he was assigned to patrol that area.

“What I found when I came back to the Fountain area actually appalled me,” he said, noting the proliferation of methamphetamine use and the decline in certain areas.

“People say drugs are a victimless crime, but unfortunately that’s not true,” he said, talking about the families of both the addicts and the dealers sent to prison. “And that wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for men like Mr. Cavazos so I think he should be held accountable.”

Judge Stephenson agreed with the positions taken by Walters and Head, telling the defendant that while his crime did not merit the maximum sentence, “it deserves a very serious sentence.”

“This is a very serious offense,” Stephenson said. “It is not just a stub of the toe. In circumstances like this it is not a victimless crime.”

Stephenson then ordered that the defendant serve a 20-year prison sentence.

Witnesses and testimony presented at the trial by Walters proved that the defendant was under surveillance for drug activity when he was pulled over for a traffic violation July 21, 2023. A probable cause search of the vehicle turned up 58 grams of methamphetamine belonging to the defendant.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office and SID for another investigation targeting a major dealer that concluded before the drugs could be sold on the street.

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

Porter Sentenced to 30 Years for Shooting, Killing Friend During Argument

Posted on October 6, 2026October 6, 2026 by Admin SA

CHIPLEY – Kyle Michael Porter was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday for killing a friend with a shot to the head as they argued following an unsuccessful fishing trip in 2024.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson presided over the Sept. 23 trial that found the defendant guilty of Manslaughter with a Firearm and ordered the sentence. Chief Washington County Prosecutor Megan presented the case that led to the verdict after 35 minutes of deliberation.

Testimony and evidence at trial proved the defendant, victim Randy Joseph Lynn, and a third man went fishing at Joiner Lake off Teardrop Trail on April 27, 2024. The three men worked together.

There was arguing between the defendant and the victim during the trip, but when they returned to the dock, the victim was too intoxicated to get out of the boat on his own.

The victim was helped out of the boat and resumed his argument with the defendant.

A witness said the victim was unarmed during the argument when the defendant pulled his pistol and fired one shot into his head. The victim, whose blood-alcohol level was .257 – more than three times the legal driving limit – fell backward into the water and died.

The defendant claimed self-defense, but the witness, along with the victim’s level of intoxication proved he was unarmed and not a threat.

“This case is about 15 seconds on a dock and a decision that cannot be taken back,” Ford said at trial. “Randy Lynn did not have a weapon, he did not reach for Kyle’s gun, he did not touch him. Then Kyle introduced a loaded gun into the argument, and approximately 15 seconds passed before Kyle pulled the trigger.”

Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its thorough investigation that helped lead to a successful outcome.

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

Sale of Meth in Calhoun Leads to 4-Year Sentence for Marianna Man

Posted on October 5, 2026October 6, 2026 by Admin SA

BLOUNTSTOWN – A Marianna man has been sentenced to 48 months in prison after a jury found him guilty of selling nearly 5 grams of methamphetamine during an undercover investigation, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A 6-person jury took less than 10 minutes to return a guilty verdict for Sale of Methamphetamine against 35-year-old Royce Tracy Peaden Jr. after a 1-day trial Wednesday Sept. 30. Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young then sentenced the defendant to 48 months in prison, to be followed by 24 months’ probation.

Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor Joshua White called three witnesses – a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Investigator, a witness to the sale, and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab analyst. He also presented bodycam video of the transaction, photos and text messages to prove the case.

The evidence showed that the defendant agreed to sell 5 grams of methamphetamine to a Calhoun County resident on June 6, 2025, and drove from Marianna to do so.

Video showed the defendant approaching the passenger’s window of another vehicle, where he was given $100. In return he placed a bag of Ranch-flavored Chester’s Fries onto the passenger’s seat of the buyer’s vehicle. Investigators monitoring the transaction checked the snack bag and found it contained a plastic baggie with 4.8 grams of methamphetamine.

Basford thanked Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for its work in building the case and gathering evidence that helped lead to a guilty verdict.

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

Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 22 years

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Admin SA

A man found guilty two weeks ago of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (more than 200 grams) was sentenced to 22 years in prison Monday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Because of the volume of methamphetamine involved, Christian Samuel Stepp, 53, of Georgia, will serve the first 15 years of that sentence as a minimum-mandatory under Florida’s enhanced drug trafficking statute. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stevenson also ordered a $250,000 fine.

“This is a significant penalty for someone trying to bring a large amount of methamphetamine into our community,” lead Prosecutor Christopher Walters said. “The traffickers bringing in these extremely harmful substances will continue to find out there is a price to be paid for their choices.”

Walters again thanked the Bay County Sheriffs Office and its Special Investigations Division for its work in stopping these drugs before they could make it to the streets.

The evidence against Stepp at trial included text messages between the defendant and others, and bodycam of the search warrant being served.

The Sheriff’s Office’s Special SID team served a search warrant in a camper March 14, 2025, near Southport.

The defendant was in bedroom where the drugs were recovered.

Two of the co-defendants – the owner of the camper included – testified against the defendant.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for its proactive investigative work.

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

23-Time Convicted Felon Sentenced to 8 Years for Holmes County Burglary

Posted on September 25, 2026 by Admin SA

BONIFAY – A man who was first spotted breaking into a truck by its owner and then identified by motion-detector game camera pictures on the property has been sentenced to 8 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

William Junior Bryan Jr., 49, of Freeport, was found guilty by a Holmes County jury after deliberating for 20 minutes on Wednesday of Burglary of a Dwelling and Attempted Burglary of a Conveyance. Circuit Court Judge Russell Roberts presided over the one-day trial and sentencing.

Chief Holmes County Prosecutor Jake Cook called three witnesses, including the resident who was awakened during the burglary.

“For lifelong criminals, just like we had in this case, we will continue to seek the maximum penalty under Florida Law,” Cook said. “Hopefully this Defendant thinks twice before he goes out and commits his 26th felony.”

The testimony and evidence showed that the resident of the home was awakened by his barking dog around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 20. He went to the back porch of the residence and saw a man wearing short and white socks – no shirt or shoes – getting out of his truck.

The resident called 911; he then noticed some items inside his home had been stolen. He checked his deer camera, and it showed a bald white male wearing shorts and socks with no shoes. Deputies spotted the defendant a short distance away and said the man immediately turned around, placed his hands on his head and dropped to his knees.

Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office for its fast response to the call and quick arrest.

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

JURY: Man Guilty of Molesting Child

Posted on September 25, 2026September 25, 2026 by Admin SA

CHIPLEY – A Washington County jury found Ronald Gene Hawkins guilty of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a child less than 12 years of age following a trial involving the molestation of a child during summer visits.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson set sentencing for Nov. 3. The defendant, 69, faces up to Life in prison.

The victim bravely testified to what had occurred in the home several summers ago. Years later, the prospect of returning to the area prompted her to disclose what had happened.

The jury also heard testimony from another witness concerning a separate incident involving the defendant. The court instructed jurors on how they could consider that evidence.

“We are grateful to the victims for their courage in testifying and to the jury for its careful attention to the evidence,” said Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford.

The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before returning its verdict.

Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case.

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

Man Guilty of Shooting Friend in Head During Alcohol-Fueled Argument

Posted on September 25, 2026 by Admin SA

CHIPLEY – A 6-person jury took 35 minutes Wednesday to find Kyle Michael Porter guilty as charged of Manslaughter with a Firearm for shooting a friend in the head as they argued following an unsuccessful fishing trip in 2024.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson set Porter’s sentencing date for Oct. 6. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

Chief Washington County Prosecutor Megan Ford called six witnesses, including a third person on the fishing trip who witnessed the shooting on the defendant’s dock at Joiner Lake off Teardrop Trail. The witnesses and evidence proved the defendant pulled his gun during an argument on his dock after the trip and shot an unarmed Randy Joseph Lynn once in the head. Lynn fell backward into the lake and died quickly. All three men had been drinking.

“This case is about 15 seconds on a dock and a decision that cannot be taken back,” Ford told jurors. “Randy Lynn did not have a weapon, he did not reach for Kyle’s gun, he did not touch him. Then Kyle introduced a loaded gun into the argument … and approximately 15 seconds passed before Kyle pulled the trigger.

“The evidence will show this was a verbal confrontation with a heavily intoxicated 63-year-old man who moments before could not stand” to get out of the boat.

The victim’s blood-alcohol level was .257, more than three times the legal driving limit.

The evidence and testimony showed that Porter, the victim, and the third person on the fishing trip all worked together and planned a fishing trip on the lake for April 27, 2024. Porter and the third man drove to Southport that morning to pick up the victim, stopping for bait and beer on the way back.

The three were in a small dingy type boat.

The surviving witness said Porter was in back controlling the motor, the victim was in the center of the boat and he was in the front. All three were drinking beer and bourbon but they were not catching any fish.

As they headed back toward the defendant’s dock, they ran through a group of lily pads and the engine became clogged and quit working. In later statements to Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigators, Porter and the surviving witness said the victim became upset and started yelling and arguing with Porter about the engine problem.

The surviving witness said Porter was able to restart the motor and after a brief stop they headed back to the dock with the victim still upset and arguing most of the way. But by the time they reached the dock, the victim had reached a point of intoxication where he could not get out of the boat. The surviving witness tried to help pull him out and eventually he and Porter were able to pull the victim out.

“He started pushing (the third man) quite a bit,” Porter said in his statement. “He comes over to me because I told him to stop and he tells me that he will kill me and at that point man I felt threatened.” Porter claimed the victim charged him and he pulled the trigger.

RELATED: Armed Robber Gets 20 Years

But the other man said while the victim was intoxicated and argumentative, he never tried to get Porter’s gun, never charged Porter, and never tried to touch him or the gun. He said the victim had his hands in the air and was offering to fight both men when Porter pulled the trigger.

“Randy’s hands were up in the air like, ‘Bring it on,’ and Kyle says, ‘I’m going to shoot you’ and a couple of seconds later Kyle pulled the trigger,” the man testified. “Kyle could’ve just walked away.”

After the victim fell in the water, Porter called his wife who was inside their home up a hill from the dock and told her to call 911.

Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and for its thorough investigation that led to the arrest.

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

Pittman sentenced to Life in stabbing death

Posted on September 11, 2026September 11, 2026 by Admin SA

Calvin Lovelle Pittman was sentenced to Life in prison Friday for stabbing and killing a man in a convenience store parking lot in 2023, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Six jurors found Pittman, 47, of Panama City, guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Destruction or Tampering with Physical Evidence in the July 18, 2023 stabbing death of Phillip S. Harvey, 20. Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay presided over the trial and sentencing.

At sentencing, Prosecutor Peter Overstreet outlined Pittman’s criminal history – which includes 12 prior felony convictions – and asked for the maximum sentence of Life.

“Mr. Pittman has shown over and over again that he has no respect for the law or the safety of others,” Overstreet said after sentencing. “He has now taken a young man from his family, his loved ones, his community, in a vicious manner. Our community is safer with him in prison, which is where he will die.”

At sentencing, Harvey’s godmother described him as an advanced student who graduated from a Tallahassee high school IB program and was pursuing a better life. He was “loving, intelligent, caring and worthy … and he deserved so much better than the fate that was forced on him.”

“What makes this even harder to accept is that he did absolutely nothing to deserve what happened to him,” she said to Judge Gay. “He deserved the chance to continue chasing his dreams. He deserved the chance to grow old … instead his family and everyone who loved him has been sentenced to a lifetime of grief.”

During the defendant’s 2-day trial that began July 21, Overstreet proved to jurors that Pittman stabbed the victim in the side while the two were arguing in the victim’s car July 18, 2023. The victim stumbled about 20 feet from the car before collapsing.

At the hospital, Harvey told two nurses that he was stabbed by Pittman during an argument.

Basford thanked @SpringfieldPoliceDepartment and @PanamaCityPoliceDepartment for their collaborative efforts that led to a successful outcome.

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