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.

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.

2 Life sentences + 145 years for Ranglin in 2024 Beach Murder

Posted on September 8, 2026September 8, 2026 by Admin SA

Andre Ranglin Tuesday was given two Life sentences plus 145 years in prison for 10 convictions stemming from the ambush murder of O’Neil Augustus McDonald in a Beach apartment parking lot in 2024.

Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay imposed the jury’s recommendation of Life without parole for First Degree Murder, and also sentenced Ranglin to life for Attempted First Degree Premeditated Murder. Gay gave the defendant 20 years each for Attempted Burglary with Discharge of a Firearm, Attempted Felony Murder with a Firearm, and three counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Finally, she sentenced him to 15 years on each of his two convictions of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. A 12-person jury found Ranglin guilty as charged Aug. 31 after a six-day trial.

Lead Prosecutor Peter Overstreet, who along with Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented the case, said that without the defendant’s lifelong incarceration, no one here would be safe.

Overstreet shows jurors the murder weapon

“We’d like to thank the jury for their time and attention to this case,” Overstreet said. “The verdict speaks for itself.

“Andre Ranglin will die in prison for the shooting, killing, and death of O’Neil Augustus McDonald,” he continued. “And it will be a lesson to all of those who come and want to commit crimes in our part of the world here that we will prosecute you and hold you to the highest and stiffest penalties that we can.”

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 6, 2024, shooting at a Beach apartment complex. The defendant hunted down victim O’Neil Augustus McDonald that night, walked up behind the group he was talking to, opened fire, chased the victim across the parking lot while shooting, and then put two shots into the victim’s head as he lay on the ground gravely wounded. McDonald was shot 11 times. Three shots were fired at a second victim who was struck once but survived.

During the trial, Overstreet and Sullivan called 28 witnesses and presented evidence showing the defendant and victim had worked together at a Beach restaurant. On Aug. 1, 2024, the two argued and Ranglin displayed a firearm. He was fired.

On Aug. 6 Ranglin returned and after another altercation with McDonald, Ranglin told the owner to close the business the next day because “bullets were gonna fly.”

About an hour later a Ring camera captured Ranglin walking through a foyer at the victim’s apartment complex headed toward the victim and the people he was talking to outside. A few seconds later a rapid series of shots and then screaming is heard on the Ring camera.

“He was just standing outside minding his own business, talking to friends, and they didn’t have a care in the world,” Overstreet told jurors. “But Andre Ranglin couldn’t let those last events go. When he started shooting that gun he did not care where any of those bullets went, he wanted revenge.”

Ranglin continued shooting as he chased McDonald across the parking lot. McDonald’s injuries included shots through the lungs, his pelvis, his shoulder, both hands, and his ankle before collapsing next to a retention pond.

A witness said Ranglin walked up to the victim, who was laying helpless, and fired two final shots into the top of his skull.

“The defendant wanted his revenge and he got it,” Overstreet told jurors. “The victim’s lungs had been hit, were filling with blood and he collapsed, his ankle shattered and broken with multiple gunshot wounds. But Andre Ranglin was not done. He was not satisfied. As McDonald lay helpless on the ground Ranglin kept coming and put two in his head.”

The defendant then turned his attention to the witness, who was screaming at him. She fled toward her apartment with Ranglin in pursuit and shooting at her – hitting her once – before she got inside her apartment.

He tried to force his way in as she fought to shut and lock the door. He fired a final shot through the door before fleeing.

The defendant was captured later the next day at a Dothan, Ala., motel.

State Attorney Larry Basford thanked the Panama City Beach Police Department for its handling of a chaotic crime scene and an investigation involving multiple agencies that led to a quick arrest and successful prosecution.

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

Calhoun Sentenced to Death in 2010 Murder of Mia Brown

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Admin SA

State Attorney Larry Basford, left, and Prosecutor Peter Overstreet at Friday’s sentencing

For the second time, Johnny Mack “Skeeto” Calhoun was sentenced to death Friday for the brutal murder of Holmes County resident Mia Brown in 2010, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

As prosecutors, defense attorneys, and members of the victim’s family watched, Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson said he had reviewed all materials submitted and the arguments made by both sides. He then ordered Calhoun be put to death by lethal injection.

It is the second time Calhoun has been sentenced to death by Patterson for kidnapping Brown, keeping her in the trunk of his car overnight, and then burning her alive in it the following day. The first was in 2012, but the defendant was given a new sentencing hearing following a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling affecting cases across the state. The jury at the new sentencing recommended death by a 9-3 vote in April.

“Justice in this case has been a long time in coming,” Basford said following sentencing “Now, 5,698 days have passed since Mia Brown was burned alive in her car by the defendant. This was a very cruel and horrific murder.”

Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson announces the sentence.

Basford noted that this is the second time a jury as recommended death for Calhoun, the second time Judge Patterson has ordered the death sentence for him, and he has faith the Florida Supreme Court for the second time will affirm the sentence.

“When all is said and done, the defendant will be strapped to a gurney, a needle will be placed in his arm, he will be injected with a lethal dose of chemicals, and he will draw his last breath,” Basford said.

State Attorney Larry Basford, right, and Prosecutor Peter Overstreet, left, speak to members of the victims’ family.

Basford and Prosecutor Peter Overstreet presented nearly 20 witnesses and evidence at the sentencing phase in April proving the victim was kidnapped, bound, gagged, and burned alive in her car in December 2010.

Basford and Overstreet proved the murder met two of the aggravating factors required by law: it was committed during a kidnapping that facilitated the murder, and it was cold, calculated and premeditated.

Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their work and collaboration on the original case.

In Friday’s 15-page sentencing order, Chief Judge Patterson outlined the facts and history of the case as well as the aggravating and mitigating factors.

“The Defendant is eligible for a sentence of death, and a careful review of the aggravating factors determined to exist beyond a reasonable doubt, which far outweigh the mitigating circumstances, established by a greater weight of the evidence, makes clear that a sentence of death is the only appropriate penalty in the present case,” Patterson wrote.

Basford thanked the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their handling of the case. He especially thanked the victim’s family “for their patience and faith.”

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

JURY: Pittman Stabbed Boyfriend to Death

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

A Panama City man was found guilty as charged Wednesday of Second-Degree Murder in the July 18, 2023 stabbing death of his boyfriend at a Springfield convenience store, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Calvin Lovelle Pittman, 47, of Panama City, was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder and Destruction or Tampering with Physical Evidence after about 45 minutes of deliberation. Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for Sept. 11. The murder charge is a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to Life in prison.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet called about a dozen witnesses and presented physical evidence in the 2-day trial proving Pittman stabbed Phillip S. Harvey, 20, in the side while the two were arguing in Harvey’s car July 18, 2023. The victim suffered a large, 4-inch-deep gash to his lower left abdomen before exiting the car and stumbling about 20 feet where he collapsed.

A key piece of evidence came from the victim himself. As hospital workers tried to stabilize him for emergency surgery that day, he told two nurses that he was stabbed by Pittman during an argument.

“Mr. Harvey did nothing wrong to deserve this, but as he fought for his life on the way to surgery that day, he did something very right: he was able to identify his attacker by name,” Overstreet said. “He knew his life was in danger and he made very sure that the authorities would know it was Calvin Pittman who did this. He played a large part in bringing his killer to justice.”

“We are grateful the jurors saw this case for what it was, looked at the evidence, and concluded Mr. Harvey was telling the truth.”

Two nurses on duty that day testified the victim identified his attacker. They both also testified he asked them if he was “going to see his mom,” who passed away two years earlier.

One said the victim, suffering from a deep stab wound that went through his spleen and kidney, also asked her if he was going to see his mom as she helped get him ready for surgery.

“He said his boyfriend Calvin Pittman stabbed him during an argument,” she testified. “He told me he knew he was going to see his momma now. They put him under for the surgery and he bled out.”

Prosecutor Morgan Morrell, far left, questions a witness.

Overstreet said the victim’s identification of the killer came with no doubt.

“I submit to you when a man is dying … I don’t think he’s going to somehow fantasize and misrepresent something,” Overstreet said. “He was afraid he was going to die and he wanted his killer caught.”

Surveillance video showed the victim’s car pull up to the gas pumps of a Springfield convenience store the evening of July 18, 2023. Witnesses said there was no disturbance or shouting that drew their attention at first. But 39 seconds after arriving the defendant gets out, and 2 seconds after that the driver gets out clutching his side. He can be seen stumbling away but after 9 seconds collapses.

The passenger, identified as Calvin Pittman, is seen leaving the car and going to the victim, bending over him for a brief period. Seconds after the clerk arrived and began administering first aid, the defendant calmly walked back to the car and 20 seconds later was driving away.

“The defense would have you believe he was rendering aid, he was not,” Overstreet said. “He was essentially covering up what he had done. He didn’t do anything, he didn’t say anything, and when all eyes were on the victim what did Calvin Pittman do? He calmly walked away, shut the passenger’s door … and fled because he did not want to get caught for what he had done.”

Pittman was caught the next day in Panama City by police following “pings” emitted by a T-Mobile device in the vehicle. The defendant had parked it among some other cars hidden by houses and a fence, not visible from the roadway.

Basford thanked the Springfield Police Department, Panama City Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their work on the investigation.

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