December 1, 2018

INLET BEACH, Fla— A Panama City Beach firefighter is behind bars after being sought by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for child molestation.

On Thursday, November 29, 2018, a juvenile victim disclosed information to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office about multiple incidents of molestation that had been taking place over the course of a year. The child stated that Joseph Burtis Middlebrooks III, 48, of Inlet Beach would touch her inappropriately and then tell her not to tell anyone, because it would “ruin his life.” Middlebrooks is a firefighter with the Panama City Beach Fire Department and has helped coach girls’ volleyball in Panama City Beach for several years.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators were notified and an arrest warrant was issued for Joseph Burtis Middlebrooks III.

Middlebrooks turned himself in at around 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 1, 2018. He is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of twelve and is being held at the Walton County Jail without bond.