Suspended Holmes County Commissioner Brandon Newsom has been found guilty of acting as a bail bondsman and benefitting from those actions while employed as a law enforcement officer, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Newsom was found guilty as charged of being an Unlawful Bail Bond Agent Or Employee, and Aiding or Abetting an Unlicensed Bail Bond Agent Tuesday after a two-day trial. Both are Third-Degree Felonies. Circuit Court Judge Jarred Patterson sentenced the defendant to 2 years’ probation, as well as court costs and fines.
The defendant faces a similar charge in Walton County, which is in the First Judicial Circuit.
Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford handled the case, calling multiple witnesses: Det. David Loy with the Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate, along with several civilian witnesses.
“This case has always been about public trust,” Ford said. “The people of Holmes County have the right to expect that those entrusted with public positions will comply with the same laws they are charged with enforcing. This case reaffirms that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of position or title.”
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The evidence and testimony proved the defendant owned and was licensed to operate Bail Bonds by Brandon Newsom when he was appointed as a part-time deputy at the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. Florida law forbids anyone in a position of authority within law enforcement, the courts, corrections, or arrest powers to “directly or indirectly receive any benefits from the execution of any bail bond.”
The Department of Financial Services investigation determined the defendant directly or indirectly benefited from the execution of 232 bail bonds while he was on the books at the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.
Newsom, also a Holmes County Commissioner at the time, resigned from the Sheriff’s Office Jan. 3, 2023. Later that month a complaint about his activities was received by the DFS.
In addition to benefiting from the execution of bail bonds, the evidence showed the defendant at times had people deliver their bond payments to county offices/employees when he was not there. Under Florida law it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed bonds agent to accept payment.
After a lengthy and thorough investigation, the defendant was arrested in June 2025, and a formal information was filed against him July 15, 2025. Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 28, 2025, issued an Executive Order suspending him from office.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.