June 20, 2018

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla— A DNA test has led to the identity of a suspect of an April 2016 burglary suspect.

On April 23^rd, 2016, deputies responded to a report of a burglary on Johns Lane in Alaqua Creek Park where a suspect had broken into a car by shattering a window. Once inside the suspect stole an Xbox 360 gaming system, several Xbox games, a spear gun, a Michael Kors purse, a wallet, cash, clothing and other personal property.  The total property loss was estimated around $2,250.

Fortunately for investigators, at some point during the theft, the suspect bled on the passenger rear seat inside the vehicle.

DNA swabs were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Laboratory for analysis.  According to FDLE lab report, dated December 4^th, 2017, a DNA profile was obtained from the sample recovered from the bloodstained seat.  The report stated the profile would be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).  Without a match, the case was closed after all other leads were exhausted.

In a follow-up FDLE lab report dated December 27^th, 2017 an investigative lead was uncovered in the case.  According to the report, the DNA profile obtained from the blood-stained seat swabs matched the offender sample provided by Wesley Ray Mason, 29, who was incarcerated at Walton Correctional Institution.  A warrant was obtained for a buccal DNA swab from Mason.  The swab was then submitted to the FDLE lab for comparison.

In a lab report dated March, 20^th, 2018 the profile obtained from Mason’s buccal swabs matched the profile obtained from the bloodstained seat. The lab report also stated, “The observed DNA profile is greater than 700 billion times more likely to occur if the sample originated from Wesley Mason than from an unrelated individual.”

A felony warrant was obtained for Mason’s arrest on charges of Burglary Unoccupied Conveyance, Criminal Mischief greater than $200 less than $1,000, and Grand Theft greater than $300 less than $5,000.

Mason is still incarcerated at Walton CI and has time left to serve on other Walton County burglary convictions. A detainer was placed in his file with Florida Department of Corrections.  Before he is released he will be transferred to Walton County Jail where he will be served the new warrant.