April 18, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— While executing a warrant for a wanted suspect law enforcement nets nine firearms and more than 16 grams of methamphetamine Monday night. On April 17th, the U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force serving a warrant for Shaun McBay on Darrell Court in Choctaw Beach discovered a shotgun in plain view sticking out from under the suspect’s bed and numerous items of paraphernalia throughout the home. That weapon was seized by U.S. Marshals during the arrest. As a result, Walton County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics unit obtained a search warrant for the property and eight additional firearms were discovered along with methamphetamine. Nine total firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and 16.1 g of methamphetamine were seized by VICE/Narcotics Investigators along with a 2008 Yamaha R1 that McBay used to flee deputies on multiple occasions while in the commission of felonies within Walton County. McBay was arrested on multiple counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license (habitual). He was given a $50,000 bond and is still incarcerated at the time of this release. The USMS Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force was made up of units from Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A father and son duo are sentenced to federal prison after being convicted on drug trafficking charges. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentencings of Kenneth Ingram, 62, and Kadeem Ingram, 32, both of DeFuniak Springs. Kenneth Ingram was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Kenneth also worked in the prison system for 25 years prior to his arrest. Kadeem Ingram was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Ingrams’ sentences were the result of a conviction on August 17, 2022, following a three-day trial where it was revealed the Ingrams conspired with others to purchase and resell cocaine and crack cocaine in Walton County. In 2019, the Ingrams took monthly trips to South Florida to procure large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine purchased was in part converted to crack cocaine and then distributed by Kadeem Ingram and a co-conspirator. After a year-long investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle following a traffic stop on July 13, 2019. “This prosecution demonstrates the collaborative efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, who work tirelessly to remove addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “We are grateful for their dedicated public service and remain committed in our efforts to investigate and vigorously prosecute criminals bringing drugs into North Florida.” “Let these sentences be... Read More

March 20, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla—A traffic stop for a seatbelt violation leads to the arrest of a pair out of Miami on drug charges. On Sunday morning, a Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy conducting traffic enforcement near Highway 90 and State Highway 285 pulled over a vehicle when he noticed the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. A strong smell of marijuana was coming from the vehicle when the deputy approached the driver’s side door. After speaking with the driver, 25-year-old Taurus Washington of Miami, Florida, it was discovered his license had been suspended indefinitely and no one in the vehicle had a medical marijuana card or a valid driver’s license. Washington also had a non-extraditable warrant out of Arizona. The two other passengers of the vehicle were detained. Washington was searched and 1.2 grams of crack cocaine was found in his pants pocket. During a search of the car, deputies located three tightly rolled packages containing 61.8 grams of cocaine which appeared to be made for smuggling inside a body cavity and 106 grams of marijuana. One of the passengers, Destiny Butler, 21 also of Miami, admitted to the drugs belonging to her and that she was taking them to “Central”. She also provided a fake ID to deputies to conceal her identity. Washington was charged with cocaine possession and driving with a revoked license and was issued a traffic citation for not wearing a seatbelt. Butler was charged with trafficking cocaine, providing a false ID to a LEO,... Read More

March 7, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A DeFuniak Springs man is arrested on weapons charges after he unintentionally shot himself in the hand. Walton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies assigned to the U.S. Marshal Task Force arrested Lance Diamond Johnson, 25, Monday on active warrants for felon in possession of a firearm following an incident where it was found he was making homemade firearms. Walton County Sheriff’s Office was called to a shooting on February 13th, 2023, where Johnson had blown a finger off while trying to fire one of the weapons. While serving the warrant Monday morning, deputies located numerous items of paraphernalia, ammunition, and methamphetamine. Johnson is charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm or ammo, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to appear. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail where he was given no bond at first appearance.The post AFTER SHOOTING FINGER OFF, DEFUNIAK SPRINGS MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGES first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

February 27, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A traffic stop for passing on double yellow lines leads to the arrest of a wanted suspect from a 2007 homicide in south Florida. Just before 6 pm Sunday, February 26th, a Walton County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling northbound County Road 393 N witnessed a white Nissan Altima pass another vehicle on a double yellow line. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver identified himself as Jose Wilson Padilla-Padilla, 41. During the stop, dispatch notified the deputy Padilla had a warrant out of Broward County for First Degree Murder from a Fort Lauderdale homicide under the alias Wilson “El Tigre” Padilla-Diaz. Padilla’s wife came to the scene to take possession of the vehicle and said the two met in Mexico 12 years ago and had been living in Santa Rosa Beach less than a year. Padilla was placed under arrest on the out-of-county warrant, for driving without a license (never issued). He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Broward County. In addition, an active ICE detainer was placed on Padilla that will carry over into his extradition. Please direct any questions regarding the homicide to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.      The post TRAFFIC STOP FOR PASSING ON DOUBLE YELLOW NETS 2007 FORT LAUDERDALE HOMICIDE SUSPECT first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

February 23, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Freeport man is arrested after it’s found he violated his probation and attempted to hide fentanyl up his anal cavity during his arrest. Information obtained in search warrants done by Walton County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit earlier this month prompted investigators to contact probation to inform them of their findings. On Wednesday, February 22nd, State Probation Officers with the Florida Department of Corrections conducted a probation search of Robert Seth Whittaker and his house on Power Line Road in Freeport where they discovered traces of fentanyl and other paraphernalia and immediately contacted Walton County Sheriff’s Office. A search warrant was obtained by VICE/Narcotics which revealed numerous items of drug paraphernalia including digital scales, packaging material, syringes, items to conceal drugs, and other items used to take controlled substances throughout the home. Investigators arrested Robert Seth Whittaker, Travis Weidenhaft, and Danea Harris as a result. Following his arrest, Whittaker was found to have a purple powder which he tried to conceal in his anal cavity while being booked at the Walton County Jail. That substance tested positive for fentanyl. Whittaker is charged with possession of a controlled substance, the introduction of contraband into a county detention facility, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation. At the time of his arrest, Whittaker was already serving three years probation because of a narcotics search warrant in July 2022 where he was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Weidenhaft... Read More

February 9, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Walton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy has been terminated and arrested for charges stemming from an investigation involving a 14-year-old student. On January 31st Walton County Sheriff’s Office immediately removed Artie Rodriguez, 52, from his position as a School Resource Deputy at the Walton Academy and launched an investigation after a victim came forward to file a report. It was discovered during the investigation that between December 9th, 2022, and January 26th, 2023, Rodriguez attempted to engage in a sexual relationship with the student both in person and via text, he showed this student explicit photos, touched the student in an inappropriate manner, and provided the student with a vape pen. Our agency is thoroughly investigating whether there was additional misconduct while Rodriguez was on duty, on school premises, or otherwise. “Not only was Rodriguez in a position of trust as a School Resource Deputy, but at a school where kids are truly vulnerable and already facing hardship and challenges of their own,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “It’s a violation of his oath of office and the badge.” Rodriguez started with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in October of 2001 and went into reserves in June 2017 returning to full-time status in August 2022. “This is a long-standing member of our agency, but I won’t mince words,” continued Adkinson. “We will not, under any circumstances, tolerate this type of behavior from someone in a position of authority – particularly one who is interacting... Read More

Walton County Sheriff’s Office is ramping up for spring break; holding meetings with stakeholders after addressing some of your concerns on Sheriff LIVE. We’ve had internal operational meetings and plan to highlight some of the things we are implementing during the coming weeks to you – our constituents. We’ve put together a schedule for those who are interested. What we’ve found is that people want to be in the know. They want to prepare. So, we’ve compiled a list of college and university spring break dates for those in our community. We’re here if you need us. COLLEGE SPRING BREAKS March 4th -10th Notre Dame, Auburn University, University of Georgia, Tulane, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida. March 11th – 17th The University of Texas, Texas Tech University, the University of Tennessee, the University of North Carolina, Mississippi State University, the University of Kentucky, Duke University, University of Central Florida, Vanderbilt University, Ohio State, Troy State University, University of Nebraska, University of Mississippi, University of Alabama, Florida State University, LSU, Florida A&M University, University of Florida and the University of Miami. March 18th – 24th Clemson University, University of Arkansas, and Hofstra University. HIGH SCHOOL March 11th- 17th Houston Independent School District, Texas, Huntsville Alabama Public Schools, Tennessee (Bristol, Franklin, Nashville, Knoxville County, Shelby, Sevier County) Public Schools, and Bay County Public Schools. March 18th – 24th Walton County Public Schools, Okaloosa County Public Schools March 25th – April 1st Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Birmingham Public Schools,... Read More

FENTANYL POISONING DEATH AT BACHELOR PARTY LEADS TO THE ARREST OF ALABAMA MAN Posted on November 30, 2022 Mug shot of John Nabors November 30, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A bachelor party turned deadly and has resulted in the arrest of an Alabama man on murder charges. On May 14, 2022, Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical assist call on Sand Dunes Road in Santa Rosa Beach. Once deputies got on scene, they found a man lying on the ground unconscious. Deputies immediately began CPR and administered an AED. While doing so, three more men collapsed and became unresponsive. South Walton Fire District arrived on scene and quickly began rendering aid along with a WCSO Deputy/EMT. All the men were transported to Sacred Heart. Obituary photo of Thomas Gleason Days later, Thomas Gleason, 26, of Ridgefield, Connecticut was pronounced deceased. His name is being released as a part of this report with permission from his father who has waived Marsy’s Law to allow us to tell his son’s story. An investigation revealed all the men had traveled to Walton County for a bachelor party from Georgia, Alabama, and Connecticut to celebrate their friend. The investigation also found the underlying cause of Gleason’s death was a lethal dose of fentanyl which was found in narcotics directly provided by John Nabors, 26, of Mountain Brook, Alabama. On Tuesday, November 15th the findings of this case were presented to a grand jury and Nabors was indicted on felony charges of distributing... Read More