WCSO IDENTIFIES ARMED SUSPECT IN DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN MIRAMAR BEACH Posted on November 23, 2022 November 23, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Walton County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the name of an armed suspect who was shot by deputies. On Tuesday, November 15th, deputies responded to the area of Poinciana Boulevard in Miramar Beach just before midnight following a 911 call regarding a suspicious person with a gun in the area. Minutes later, deputies confronted the suspect, identified as Jesse Mavrick Minton, 39, of Pensacola, and shots were fired. No deputies were injured. Minton was pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Michael Adkinson immediately requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement respond and assist in the investigation per agency protocol. That investigation is still being conducted. More information will be released once it’s available.   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

ARMED SUSPECT DEAD FOLLOWING DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING IN MIRAMAR BEACH Posted on November 16, 2022 November 16, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Walton County Sheriff’s Office is currently on the scene of a deputy-involved shooting in Miramar Beach. Deputies initially responded to the area of Poinciana Boulevard at approximately 11:40 pm Tuesday following a 911 call regarding a suspicious person armed with a handgun. Minutes later deputies confronted the suspect behind a business where shots were fired. No deputies have been injured. The suspect is confirmed deceased. Sheriff Michael Adkinson has requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement respond and assist in the investigation per agency protocol.   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

ON DUTY WALTON COUNTY CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING INJUNCTION Posted on November 7, 2022 November 7, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— An on-duty Walton County Code Compliance Officer is arrested for violating an injunction for protection against stalking. On Saturday, November 5th, Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested Code Compliance Officer Thomas Brennan after he was found to be actively violating an injunction in place since March of this year. The victim told deputies they were sitting on the beach with family when Brennan parked his ATV close by and sat for several minutes. The victim said the two made eye contact several times and recognized each other. Brennan got off the ATV and began to walk in their direction within a few feet from where they were sitting so, they began video recording him. When Brennan noticed the camera, he altered his direction and walked past towards a group of people down the beach. The victim left with their belongings and walked up the beach access to the parking lot. They told deputies, Brennan then jumped in his ATV, drove up the access, passed within a few feet of the victim, and sat in the parking lot. Brennan watched the victim for several minutes as they sat in their vehicle waiting for a deputy to arrive. Based on video and victim statements, Brennan was arrested and transported to the Walton County Jail where is charged with violating an injunction. Brennon retired as a law enforcement officer from Memphis Police... Read More

STEERING IN A NEW DIRECTION; WALTON COUNTY JAIL HEAVY EQUIPMENT GRADUATE LANDS JOB DAY HE’S RELEASED Posted on October 31, 2022 Christopher Carroll poses in front of a skid-steer after attending a ceremony highlighting graduates of the Walton County Jail Heavy Equipment Course. The day he was released from the Walton County Jail a free man, Christopher Carroll walked onto a job site in DeFuniak Springs carrying nothing but a certificate. The next day, he reported for his first shift. “I could have started work that day,” said Carroll. “But I needed steel-toe boots.” Carroll is among 33 inmates to complete the Jail’s Heavy Equipment Operators Course since its inception in 2018. Wednesday, the program celebrated the seventh such graduation ceremony. Inmates are vetted through a selection process to participate in the five-week course which aims to teach the safety, maintenance, and operation of heavy equipment. The partnership with Heavy Equipment Colleges of America focuses on learning five machines: the backhoe, excavator, front-end loader, dozier, and skid-steer. Upon completion, inmates receive an Adaptable Equipment Proficiency Testing (ADEPT) certification. The class is taught by two Walton County Sheriff’s Office Vocational Instructors, Mark Simmons, and Tim Castiglione. “They gave me the confidence to present myself and ask for a job,” said Carroll. “Feeling good about myself is something I’ve never experienced.” He’s been working for Moss, a nationwide, family-owned construction company running a skid-steer on a project in the north end of the county. The business was voted top 400 U.S. Contractors... Read More

3,000 GRAMS OF COCAINE SEIZED, 21 ARRESTED ON FEDERAL AND STATE CHARGES FOR CONSPIRACY AND DRUG TRAFFICKING Posted on October 27, 2022 October 27, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— More than 3,000 grams of cocaine is seized during a yearlong investigation into drug trafficking in Walton and Okaloosa Counties resulting in the arrest of 21 people. Operation Hans Gruber began in March of 2021 investigating the drug trafficking activities of Deshawn Brown, Pablo Burgos-Lozada, Aubry Campbell, Jefferey Williamson, and co-conspirators involved in the purchase and sale of large amounts of cocaine. On October 26th and 27th 2022, Federal and State law enforcement arrested 12 suspects charged during the investigation. Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who have outstanding warrants. In total, 25 are facing charges in connection to Operation Hans Gruber including four federal arrests and 21 state of Florida arrests. In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement seized four firearms, more than $22,000 in U.S. currency, 50 grams of crack cocaine, and around 2,500 grams of marijuana. Federal Indictments: Deshawn Brown, 51, of Santa Rosa Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Pablo Burgos-Lozada, 44, of Fort Walton Beach, Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Aubry Campbell, 37, of DeFuniak Springs, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of... Read More

WCSO INVESTIGATING SHOOTING ON CASWELL ROAD IN DEFUNIAK SPRINGS; NO INJURIES REPORTED Posted on October 27, 2022 October 27, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Walton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting off Caswell Road in DeFuniak Springs. Deputies responded following a 9-1-1 call Wednesday evening. Witnesses told investigators they were in a vehicle stopped on Caswell Road when a truck pulled up behind them. They were unable to wave the truck around and pulled to the side of the road then approached the driver of the truck. Witnesses reported words were exchanged with the driver of the truck who then fired one shot and sped down the road firing more rounds in an unknown direction. No one was hit by the gunfire and no residences appear to have been hit. Several casings were found in the roadway. The suspect vehicle is described as a white crew cab pick-up truck possibly a Chevrolet or GMC. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892-8186 or you can remain anonymous by calling Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863-TIPS. Submit a web tip at http://www.emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com/ or send a mobile tip using the P3 Tips Mobile Application or the Walton County Sheriff’s Office smartphone app. You could be eligible for a cash reward.   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

INVESTIGATORS, MEDICAL EXAMINERS COMPLETE AREA SEARCH OF SKELETAL REMAINS IN MIRAMAR BEACH Posted on October 21, 2022 October 21, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— The search where skeletal remains were located in Miramar Beach has been completed by Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office Friday. Investigators responded to the scene Thursday, October 21st when a man clearing a wooded near Leeward Drive discovered a piece of a jaw bone. While conducting an extensive search, a firearm was located within close proximity to the body.   The scene was preserved overnight and additional grid searches were completed Friday morning. The bone fragments have been confirmed by the Medical Examiner to be human. Because of the state and decay of both the bones and the weapon, it appears they have been in the area for a long period of time. “The scene is spread out because of the length of time the bones have been out in the elements,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Once all the evidence is collected, we will work closely with the Medical Examiner’s office to identify who it is and what may have occurred.”   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

STATE ATTORNEY: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS JUSTIFIED IN RETURNING FIRE AT ROBBERY SUSPECT IN I-10 PURSUIT, SHOOTING Posted on October 21, 2022 October 21, 2022 The Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit has reviewed the June 18, 2022, shooting of Dallas Anthony Francis by law enforcement officers. Francis was shot after he attempted to evade arrest by shooting at law enforcement while leading them on a high-speed pursuit for over sixty miles. Francis was a suspect in a robbery and shot his firearm multiple times at pursuing law enforcement officers. Dallas Anthony Francis was arrested and charged with five counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer; five counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer; three counts of Shooting at, into, or, Within an Occupied Vehicle; one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony; one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in Another State; and one count of Grand Theft (Over $20,000 but less than $100,000). After reviewing the evidence presented by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, including video recordings, witness statements, photographs, and local media reports, The Office of the State Attorney finds the law enforcement officers who discharged their firearms during the attempted arrest and high-speed vehicle pursuit of a dangerous suspect acted reasonably based on a well-founded fear for the safety of others and their own lives. The Office of the State Attorney concluded the shooting of Dallas Anthony Francis... Read More

SKELETAL REMAINS DISCOVERED IN HEAVILY WOODED AREA IN MIRAMAR BEACH Posted on October 20, 2022 October 20, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A man clearing a wooded area in Miramar Beach has discovered skeletal remains. Walton County Sheriff’s Office is on scene at Leeward Drive after a resident found what they believed to be skeletal fragments while clearing a lot located near a residential street. Deputies and investigators responded Thursday afternoon and began searching the area. The bone fragments are believed to be human and appear to have been in the area for a long period of time. The Medical Examiner’s Office is responding as well as Walton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Technicians.   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD; WCSO INTRODUCES NEW CRIME PREVENTION CAR DURING NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH Posted on October 19, 2022 October 19, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— October is National Crime Prevention Month and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is unveiling a new crime prevention-themed patrol car. WCSO is proud to introduce the new design which displays crime prevention tips, beach flag safety messaging, a QR code for Low-Speed Vehicle rules of the road, and more! The vehicle will be hitting the streets primarily in the south end of the county to help educate our transient tourist population but will be used throughout the county for special events, parades, fairs, and community meetings. One of our biggest goals at Walton County Sheriff’s Office is to educate residents and visitors on crime prevention tips to keep them safe and to prevent victims of crime. We are constantly trying to think outside the box to help meet that goal and this is where the rubbers meets the road. If you see this car cruising around please give it a wave!     https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More