Life Without Parole for Woman Who Sold Fentanyl Used in Fatal Overdose

Posted on October 27, 2026 by Admin SA

(Left to Right: Prosecutor Frank Sullivan, the remnants of the dose of fatal fentanyl, Danielle Cooper at trial)

Danielle Cooper will spend the rest of her life in prison after being found guilty Tuesday of Death Caused by the Distribution of Fentanyl, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Cooper, 42, sold $100 worth of fentanyl at her residence to Regina Vasconcelos on Oct. 5, 2021. The victim was found dead in her home the next day, a used syringe by her side. The amount of fentanyl in her system was found to be 20-30 times higher than the fatal level.

Jurors deliberated for 23 minutes after Prosecutor Frank Sullivan’s closing argument before returning its verdict. In Florida, Death Caused by the Distribution of Fentanyl is a capital felony. Cooper was immediately sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole. She was already serving a 30-year sentence after being found guilty in March 2023 of Trafficking in Fentanyl (more than 14 grams but less than 28 grams).

“This case is a textbook example of why fentanyl is so dangerous – it is a very deadly drug made in clandestine labs and neither the traffickers nor the people they sell it to have any idea how potent it is from batch to batch,” Sullivan said. “The potency of different samples within the same batch can even differ.

“This particular defendant bragged about how potent her drugs were as she continued to sell them knowing the potential dangers and consequences,” he continued. “Our law enforcement partners, like the Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Division in this case, will continue to track down the source in overdose deaths and we will continue to prosecute them under Florida’s enhanced laws.”

The victim was found dead in her home Oct. 6, 2021, after she missed a dialysis appointment and the clinic contacted her sister, who had just returned to her out-of-state home after spending about a year here caring for the victim. She testified that her sister suffered health problems including the removal of her spleen and one kidney, COVID, open-heart surgery, and that her remaining kidney was failing.

The sister called the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for a welfare check and gave them permission to ender her sister’s home. They found her body inside.

Investigators developed evidence – including texts between the victim, the defendant and a witness – that the defendant agreed to sell her fentanyl Oct. 5, 2021. The witness said she drove the victim to Cooper’s residence and saw her obtain the “green” and “glassy” substance identified as fentanyl.

Investigators served a search warrant on Cooper’s residence Oct. 8, 2021, and saw her throw a bag of fentanyl from her truck. They found another baggie of fentanyl in her bra and she was subsequently charged with trafficking.

In November 2022, after a full investigation and toxicology results, Cooper was also charged with the victim’s death.

Dr. Jay Radtke, Medical Examiner for the 14^th Judicial Circuit, said while the victim suffered health problems that required prescription medications, the level of fentanyl in her system was so high that it would have killed her no matter what else was in her system.

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Medical Examiner’s Office for their continued work on this case. For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.

Judge Upholds Life Sentence for Falcon in 1997 Murder

Posted on October 27, 2026 by Admin SA

For the second time in six years, Rebecca Lee Falcon’s request for a sentence modification in the murder of cab driver Richard Phillips in 1997 has been denied, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark Tuesday rejected Falcon’s request from her February sentencing review writing, “Based on review of the entirety of the record in the present case, this Court believes the sentence of Life imprisonment imposed at Defendant’s July 2020 resentencing remains the most appropriate sentence.”

“We hope that this order allows Mr. Phillips’ family to finally get the closure they deserve,” said Prosecutor Peter Overstreet.

Falcon was 15 when she shot Phillips in the back of the head on Nov. 19, 1997. The evidence showed she obtained a pistol from a co-defendant, test-fired it multiple times, and said she wanted to shoot someone in the back of the head.

Falcon and her co-defendant flagged down a cab driven by Phillips, with Falcon sitting in back. A short time later she shot the victim in the back of the head and fled. After the shooting she at first denied it, then laughed about it.

She was found guilty of First-Degree Murder in 1999 and sentenced to life in prison. Years later, the U.S. Supreme Court held that juveniles who are sentenced to life are entitled to present mitigating factors. At that 2020 resentencing Falcon again received life.

The law also entitles juveniles sentenced to life to seek a sentence review hearing after they have served 25 years, and that hearing for Falcon was held in February. Clark released his ruling Tuesday.

In such hearings the Court weighs, among other things, whether the offender demonstrates maturity and rehabilitation, remains at the same level of risk as at the original sentencing, and whether the defendant has shown sustained and sincere remorse.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet during the February hearing.

Rebecca Falcon is escorted out of court after her February hearing.

At the two-day hearing, Overstreet cross-examined witnesses and argued that Falcon, now 44, did not meet the requirements set by law for a reduced sentence.

Overstreet argued, essentially, that the level of any remorse, maturity, education achievements, taking responsibility for her actions, or good behavior by Falcon was equal to the level she thought she had to “show” to get out of prison and was not genuine.

“Over the years she has sought to excuse her behavior, blaming the cab driver and others for her plight,” Overstreet said, noting that her participation in certain courses or actions often reflected whatever change had occurred in the law or in court, not at her own behest.

“While the Defendant has apologized to the victim’s family for killing him, she has not fully acknowledged why or how she committed this horrific murder,” Overstreet said. “Since her arrest nearly 30 years ago, the defendant has given various reasons and renditions on why and how she shot Mr. Phillips.

“The central question to be answered is: How do you rehabilitate a person who chooses to kill another?”

Judge Clark made similar findings in his order, writing that Falcon “continues to minimize her actions and refuses every opportunity ‘to state exactly what she had done.’ ”

“This Court cannot find that Defendant has shown sincere and sustained remorse for shooting and killing the victim,” he wrote. “Defendant initially denied her role in the crime. The day after the shooting, Defendant did not express any remorse and laughed about the murder. Instead, the record makes it clear that Defendant has refused to state exactly what she did and accept full responsibility for her action.”

He acknowledged Falcon is more mature now, as people naturally mature. But participating in programs does not equate to rehabilitation, he wrote.

Clark also noted the bulk of Falcon’s participation in programs occurred prior to specific hearing and resentencing dates and then tapered off.

“At best, Defendant has demonstrated that she understood her only opportunity for release required her to behave as a model inmate and to participate in programs while pursuing legal challenges to her life sentence and engaged in the behavior that would grant her favor with the Court,” Clark wrote. “As a result, the Court determines Defendant has not demonstrated rehabilitation.”

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

40-Year Sentence in Stabbing Death

Posted on October 23, 2026October 23, 2026 by Admin SA

A 47-year-old man Apopka man who broke into his victim’s home and stabbed him to death pled no contest to two charges Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Joseph Michael Lynch was adjudicated guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Burglary with Assault or Battery by Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark and sentenced to 40 years on each charge, to be served concurrently. The burglary and stabbing took place at the victim’s home on Ormond Avenue in Springfield on July 3, 2026.

“This was a senseless and violent attack, and for the family members of the victim we are glad that justice was quickly served,” said Prosecutor Peter Overstreet. “The family agreed with the plea and the 40-years in prison which essentially is a Life sentence for this defendant.”

Damage where victim’s door was forced open.

At sentencing the victim’s wife, who was home with the couple’s young daughter and who witnessed the killing, said the loss of her husband is a void that can never be filled.

“This loss has shattered this family completely; we have no sense of safety anymore, not even in our own home,” she told Juge Clark. “The quiet hours of the night are filled with painful memories and recurring trauma. I relive that night all day every day. Kenny didn’t die once, he dies every day 100 times a day for each of us.”

She no longer feels safe in her home, suffers from PTSD, and said the murder forever changed the lives of the families of all involved.

“I go to sleep and wake up without my husband, the person I was supposed to grow old with, have a life with which we had so many plans,” she said. “Our house is no longer a home, and we no longer live we just exist.”

Overstreet was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence proving Lynch went to the victim’s home late on the evening of July 3, 2026. Lynch and the victim, Kenny Ashbey, 33, had a disagreement days earlier over the title to a vehicle.

Armed with two knives, Lynch broke in the victim’s door and attacked him, stabbing him multiple times. The victim’s wife, young daughter and three other adults were in the home. The defendant took their cell phones before fleeing.

The defendant left on foot, telling several bystanders outside to call 911. When Springfield police arrived, witnesses told them the defendant was laying in the driveway a few houses down.

When officers approached Lynch, he said, “I did it,” as he was taken into custody.

Investigators recovered one knife inside the home near where the victim collapsed, and another outside.

Basford thanked the Springfield Police Department for its 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.

JURY: Man Guilty of Attacking Truck with “Hunk” of Concrete

Posted on October 22, 2026 by Admin SA

A man who attacked an occupied vehicle with a concrete block while on the victim’s property was found guilty Wednesday of felony Criminal Mischief and sentenced to 36 months in prison.

State Attorney Larry Basford said Deontae Prince Shackelford, 27, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay following the one-day trial and verdict.

Prosecutor Jada Watkins called two witnesses – including the driver of the truck that was attacked – to prove her case.

The 64-year-old owner of the truck testified he owned the property and that the building on it was damaged by fire in February, 2025. He drove there Sept. 13, 2025, as he did about every two weeks, to check on the progress of repairs.

He testified he was parked there on the phone with his wife when he noticed the defendant walk up and start digging through the dumpster. He asked the defendant what he was doing and was ignored. He asked again and said the man appeared agitated.

The defendant began piling items from the dumpster on to the property and making a mess. The owner repositioned his vehicle near the dumpster, identified himself as the owner and again told the defendant to leave.

“He very quickly approached my truck and slammed my rearview mirror into the door and broke it with his hand,” the victim said. The defendant then ran and the victim called 911 and drove back around to the front of his property.

Prosecutor Watkins showing how defendant used concrete to break window

A minute or two later he saw the defendant re-approaching his truck. He rolled his window down a few inches and again asked the man to leave, telling him he had already called 911 and police were on the way. He also grabbed his phone and took a picture of the man.

“I had noticed he was hiding his right arm behind him and when I turned to grab my phone to take his picture, he was just about to smack my driver’s door glass,” he said. “He hit it as hard as he could with a hunk of concrete twice … and the third time it exploded in my face, it was like a bomb went off.”

The defendant again ran away but was captured a short time later.

The owner suffered cuts to his forehead and face from the glass, and his knee was cut by the concrete that ended up on his floorboard.

Basford thanked the Parker Police Department for its work on the case and quick apprehension of the defendant. For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.

Man Who Sold Fatal Dose of Fentanyl Sentenced to 30 Years

Posted on October 19, 2026 by Admin SA

A fentanyl trafficker whose customer died of an overdose minutes after the sale was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Nicholas Sterling Chagnon, 42, of Parker, pled guilty to Manslaughter, Trafficking in Fentanyl (4-14 grams), and Sale or Delivery of Fentanyl Friday. He was then sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the first 3 years being minimum-mandatory.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet was prepared to call witnesses and present evidence proving Chagnon sold a fatal dose of fentanyl to his 34-year-old victim on July 15, 2025 at a beach business. The victim paid the defendant $60 for .5 grams of fentanyl and overdosed minutes later in the business’ restroom.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet in an earlier court proceeding.

“Over and over again we see these traffickers selling a highly dangerous and unpredictable drug without a care in the world for the consequences,” Overstreet said. “It is not a secret to them that fentanyl is not only very potent, but that the potency of each dose can vary wildly and it’s deadly.

“The Panama City Beach Police Department knows this as well and we are grateful for the time

and effort they put into the case that helped resolve it without a trial.”

The evidence would have shown that the defendant met the victim at a beach business to sell him .5 grams of fentanyl on July 15, 2025. The victim went straight to the restroom, ingested a portion of the drug and died.

The investigation, which included surveillance video from the business and CashApp data history, helped identify the defendant as the seller. The following day, July 16, 2025, the defendant was pulled over on Front Beach Road for texting and driving in a crowded area. A PCBPD K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle and a search turned up 5.2 grams of fentanyl in four baggies.

The defendant admitted selling the fentanyl to the victim.

Basford thanked the Panama City Beach Police Department 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.

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.