Escambia Man Gets 10 Years In Federal Prison For Armed Drug Trafficking
July 2, 2025
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison in a drug and firearm case.
Dillon Devontrez Royster, 31, was sentenced to 10 years after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On April 17, 2024, members of the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a search warrant at Dillion Royster’s residence. During the search, law enforcement found approximately 1,851 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of fentanyl, and numerous firearms.
This sentence was the result of a joint investigation by Escambia County Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case.
“I applaud the substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate, arrest, and help bring this drug trafficker to justice,” U.S. Attorney Heekin said. “This is yet another important case by my office fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing criminal offenders who victimize our communities. We will not stop until we have rid our streets of these criminals who peddle in violence and addiction.”
“This is a huge win for public safety in Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “Armed drug trafficking is a serious crime – this investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to remove an armed drug trafficker from our communities.”
Boil Water Notice Issued For Neal Road, Forehand Lane And Surrounding Areas
July 2, 2025
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE AFTERNOON OF JULY 3.
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a boil water notice for Neal Road, Forehand Lane, and surrounding areas.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes all residents and meters on Well Line Road, Brookhill driver, Pine Top Lane, Forehand Lane, Neal Road, Hillock Driver, Ridge Way and Knollwood Drive. Scheduled system upgrades took place today in the area, resulting in a disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Planet Fitness Construction Begins On Nine Mile As Costco Plans Remain In Limbo
July 1, 2025
Construction is now underway on a new Planet Fitness location on Nine Mile Road, while a new Costco remains in limbo.
Escambia County building permits have been issued for Planet Fitness at 312 East Nine Mile Road, next door to Aldi. It is in the remainder of a former Winn Dixie grocery store space that was converted into an Aldi with a smaller footprint, which opened in March.
The new Planet Fitness will occupy 19,315 square feet, according to the building permit, and will include a gym and fitness center, restrooms, showers, a new check-in desk and reception area, and a “Black Card Spa” area. An anticipated opening date has not been announced.
Planet Fitness is still open at 235 East Nine Mile Road — where a new Costco is proposed.
Tampa-based Thomas Engineering filed plans with the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) for the store at 225 East Nine Mile Road back in June of last year. Then, in response to DRC feedback, updated plans were filed in late October 2024.
Since that time, the proposal has not gone before the DRC for consideration. Without a development order, the project cannot move forward.
Earlier this month, Escambia County told NorthEscambia.com that Costco “is currently under review with some state regulatory items still pending.” A DRC hearing has not yet been scheduled but could be forthcoming soon.
The latest plans filed with Escambia County show the 172,580 square foot Costco retail store with a gas station and 835 parking spaces at 225 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of East Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road. That’s the site of the current Planet Fitness and a former Kmart store, spanning several parcels totaling just under 22 acres.
The plans show the existing Dairy Queen, Sam’s Seafood Restaurant, and Wells Fargo will remain, with a Costco gas station constructed between Sam’s Seafood and Wells Fargo in an area that is currently a parking area for the old shopping center. The current Planet Fitness building will be demolished to make room for the new Costco if it’s approved.
Pictured: Planet Fitness construction and the current location on Nine Mile Road as seen Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dozens of Escambia County FFA Members Recognized During State Convention (With Gallery)
July 1, 2025
Dozens of Escambia County FFA students were recognized during the 97th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo recently in Orlando.
Tate High School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12
- State Finalist Creed Speaking – Luke Graham
Career Development Events
- Aquaculture – 3rd in State: Daniel Aldridge, Raevyn Aldridge, Luke Graham, Henry Merritt, Christopher Smythe, Caileigh Tonsetic, Anthony Villaverde, Parker White
Proficiency Awards
- Talia Smith – 1st Place in Veterinary Science
General Awards and Achievements
- National Chapter being advanced to Nationals
- Premier Chapter
State FFA Degrees
- Kaydon Biggs
- Blakely Campbell
- Christian Hollingsworth
- Brooke Hoomes
- Phoenix Myrick
- Ellen Rigby
American FFA Degrees
- Sarah Alexander
- Kamden Jones
- Austin Manning
- Francis Martin
- Lyllian Warne
Northview High School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12
- State Finalist Parliamentary Procedure
Proficiency Awards
- Braden Glick – 1st Place in Fiber and Oil Crop Production
General Awards and Achievements
- Premier Chapter Award
- Florida’s Finest Chapter (National Chapter Award)
- Chapter Advocacy Award – 2nd Place
- State Talent Performer – Hunter Manning
- Elected District 1 Secretary – Ona Spinks
Alumni Awards:
- Outstanding Young Alumni – Courtney Solari
- Outstanding Alumni Chapter – 3rd Place Northview FFA Alumni
State FFA Degrees
- Tyler Gilmore
- Jackson Bridges
- Hunter Manning
American FFA Degrees
- Cody Pugh
- Tyler Riggs
- Jayden Franklin
West Florida High School
Leadership Development Events
- Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Suzie Baker 4th place in state
- State Finalist Conduct of Chapter Meetings
Proficiency Awards
- Feeder Swine
General Awards and Achievements
- Premier Chapter Award
- National Agriscience Fair Finalist, Suzie Baker and Kayley Ramswell Social Systems, Division 6
- State Agriscience Fair, Lily Driver and Ally Aguilar Animal Systems, Division 6 2nd place
- State Talent Performer – Gabriel Flores, National Anthem – Session 1
- State Talent Performer – Kensi Armendariz, “Girl Crush” – Session 3
Beulah Middle School
Leadership Development Events
Top 12 In State
- Parliamentary Procedure – Gabriel Lang, Garrison Bruck, Grady Jackson, Lydia Arnold, Emma Malecki, Olivia Nunn
Career Development Events
- 5th Place Aquaculture – Solise Beeks, Louis Hartjen and Lydia Arnold
General Awards and Achievements
- Agriscience 3rd Place Animal Systems Division 1 – Cheyenne Armstong
Agriscience - Agriscience 3rd Place Social Science Division 2 – Izsabella Long
Other Achievements:
Isabelle Jenkins:
- Elected Florida FFA State Secretary 2025-2026
- State Star in Agriscience
- State Proficiency Winner in Agriscience
- Agriscience 2nd Place Animal Systems Division 5
- State Degree Recipient
- Finalist for the Ryan Ryam Outstanding District Officer
- 1st in the State in Aquaculture
- Highest individual in State in Aquaculture
Jayden Williams & Jonathan McIntosh (FLVS FFA Member)
- 1st in the State in Aquaculture
UWF Students Partner With Naval Surface Warfare Center On RoboBoat
July 1, 2025
A group of four University of West Florida electrical engineering and computer engineering students worked with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, on a RoboBoat kit to get more high school students interested and engaged in marine robotics.
Dr. Damion Dunlap, STEM Outreach Manager, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, tapped into the knowledge of UWF Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering students in Fort Walton Beach and shared his vision for a kit for high school students, and one that could be used in competitions. Dunlap oversees STEM outreach to support the next generation of engineers.
“We decided that this project would be an amazing way to help high school students become more excited about STEM in an inexpensive and cost-effective way,” said Ashley Schnaible, who is a computer engineering student in her senior year. “This project gave us the opportunity to explore multiple ways of constructing a functioning RoboBoat kit using materials that students could obtain rather easily. It also gave our team the opportunity to be giant kids ourselves, having fun with the build, designing it essentially like a giant Lego set.”
Through the Fall 2024 semester, Schnaible, along with students Heather Sasser, David Laird and Xavier Frank, and under the guidance of Dr. Jeff McGuirk, senior lecturer of electrical and computer engineering who served in the United States Air Force as a developmental engineer, built the platform, while a group of Florida Polytechnic University students focused on the computer pieces.
After multiple trial and error runs with various designs and materials tested, the UWF student team decided to completely 3D print the RoboBoat in pieces using PLA filament and multiple layers of Flex Seal to ensure waterproofing. After the completion of the print and test for buoyancy, they mounted the necessities such as thrusters and a waterproof case that housed the battery, microcontroller and wires. The kit functions as any RoboBoat would, communicating with an RC remote controller.
For the next several weeks during the summer, Dunlap is working with high school students who earned a paid internship with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division on a continuation of the project by taking lessons learned from UWF’s project and building another boat.
Four Escambia Women Facing Federal Charges In Nationwide Drug Diversion Scheme
July 1, 2025
Four Escambia County women have been indicted on federal charges of illegal drug diversion to defraud medical programs by diverting oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine.
Alexandra M. Christensen, 31, Lindsay N. McCray (also known as Lindsay Rogers), 41, Heather T. Bradley (also known as %Heather Thomas), 36, and Jennifer E. Purves, 39, were all charged.
According to court records, Christensen and McCray are charged with conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances, McCray, Bradley, and Purves are charged with distribution of controlled substances, and McCray is charged with identity theft in connection with a scheme to unlawfully divert oxycodone, hydrocodone, and amphetamine. As alleged in the indictment, between 2015 and 2024, McCray, while employed by a medical practice, forged controlled substance prescriptions using the names, signatures, and Drug Enforcement Administration registration numbers of the practice’s two physicians without their knowledge or authorization. As a result of the conspiracy, McCray, Christensen, and others caused to be unlawfully distributed and dispensed over 300,000 hydrocodone pills and over 30,000 oxycodone pills. McCray is further charged with distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of amphetamine with Bradley and Purves.
All the cases are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets in connection with the takedown.
Trial for all defendants is currently set for August 18, 2025, in federal court in Pensacola. McCray faces a maximum of 80 years’ imprisonment, and Christensen, Bradley, and Purves each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
File photo.
Does FHP Have America’s Best Looking Cruiser? Cast Your Vote Here.
July 1, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for your help to win the 2025 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) ‘Best Looking Cruiser’ competition.
As back-to-back defending champions, FHP is asking Floridians to continue to support us and vote for the FHP cruiser as the best-looking in the nation. Voting will continue through July 11. The cruiser with the most votes will grace the cover of the AAST 2026 calendar.
To vote for your favorite cruiser, click here (scroll to the bottom to choose your favorite and vote).
“FHP is proud to once again take part in the AAST ‘Best-Looking Cruiser’ contest. This year’s photo captures the beauty of a Miami skyline sunset and showcases the strength of Florida law enforcement through our new Corvette, seized from a convicted drug trafficker as part of a joint FHP-DEA criminal investigation,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “We encourage everyone to show their support by casting a vote and helping us defend our title as the best-looking cruiser in the nation.”
The FHP submission this year was taken during an iconic Miami sunset with the Florida Highway Patrol’s very own black and tan corvette! The corvette was seized in a joint criminal investigation into a nationwide drug trafficking organization with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is currently being used at various outreach events to help bring attention to various traffic safety campaigns to reduce crashes on Florida’s roadways.
Former Tate Aggies Coach Named Defensive Coordinator For The Flomaton Hurricanes
July 1, 2025
Former Tate Aggies coach Josh Hardy has been named the defensive coordinator and inside linebacker coach for the Flomaton Hurricanes.
Hardy has been at Tate High School for the last five years, coaching inside linebackers, outside backers, and safeties, and he served as defensive coordinator for the Aggies for one season. He was also an assistant freshman baseball coach for two years and head girls flag football coach for two years for the Aggies.
Before Tate, the Philadelphia, Mississippi native coached football at Philadelphia High School, along with being the head baseball and soccer coach. He also coached at Calhoun (GA) High School where he won a state championship as an assistant varsity baseball coach
Hardy joins the staff of first-season Flomaton Hurricane head football coach Jace Gandy. Gandy was previously the co-defensive coordinator for Spanish Fort, defensive coordinator for Northview, and had coaching stints at Tate, Jay, and W.S. Neal.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Suspect, 18, Charged In Recent Atmore Shooting Now Charged With 2024 Double Murder
June 30, 2025
An 18-year-old already charged in a May shooting in Atmore now faces charges for two shooting deaths that occurred late last year.
Dexter Adams, 18, has been charged with two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of 25-year-old Juwan McNeal and 27-year-old Joe Jones, Jr. The victims were fatally shot while sitting in a vehicle on Ashley Street around 8:15 p.m. on December 8, 2024. Atmore Police said additional arrests are possible.
Adams is also one of the suspects charged in a May 7 shooting at an intersection, during which a vehicle and a nearby restaurant were hit by gunfire. He was charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, shooting into an unoccupied building, attempting to elude, and receiving stolen property in the second degree. He wa taken into a custody after a brief foot chase.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, Atmore officers responded to the area of North Main and Howard Street after reports of shots fired into a passing vehicle. The Wing & Burger Box restaurant on the northeast corner of the intersection was also struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported in that incident. Responding officers recovered a significant amount of evidence at the scene, including 47 spent shell casings believed to be from two different caliber firearms.
Pictured top: Dexter Adams was taken into custody after a brief foot chase on May 11 after a brief foot chase.
UWF Archaeology Explores Mission Dating Back To 1741 In Molino
June 30, 2025
University of West Florida archaeology students wrapped up a three-week dig last week in Molino, further investigating the over 280-year-old remains of San Joseph de Escambe, a mission constructed in 1741 near the Escambia River.
The Mission San Joseph De Escambe was established upriver along the Escambia River — which, along with Escambia County, actually took its name from the mission near Molino. The Apalachee Indian settlement with dozens of residents is well documented, according to archaeologist John Worth. It was established in the 1740’s. A Franciscan missionary was stationed by the Spanish at the village along with 15 members of a Spanish cavalry unit until about 1757.
The village was led by Apalachee Chief Juan Marcos Fant until it was destroyed during a Creek Indian raid on April 9, 1761. The village and the church were at least partially burned during the raid. Following the raid, the residents moved down the Escambia River to what is now downtown Pensacola.
The Mission was uncovered in 2009 by the UWF archeology students under the leadership of professor of Worth, who spent years digging through historical records before the actual digging in Molino began. Exactions were paused a decade a ago when the de Luna settlement near downtown Pensacola was found and explored.
This year, both graduate and undergraduate students from the UWF Archeology program spend three week in the field school.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“It’s an important site with a lot of history that has not been disturbed,” UWF archeology professor John Worth said last week as he lead NorthEscambia.com through the site — through swarms of mosquitoes with near constant warning about the abundant poison ivy in the thick woods a few hundred feet from the Escambia River.
While we there, students were conducting “shovel tests” — digging small holes about 19.5 by 19.5 inches (50cm x 50cm) too “spot check” for important remnants and clues. While we there, they unearthed a small sherd of of pottery possibly dating to the Mission, and an interesting brick fragment was uncovered by a student.
“That looks it could be British,” Worth said. “It’s different than the bricks made in later periods here.” The brick will go back to the university for some high tech tests to determine its composition and likely time period.
During the field school, students also located a lead ball that was likely colonial-era buckshot and glass seed beads, including a turquoise-colored seed bead. The beads were used for trade between European settlers and local indians, with the beads often traveling trade routes well into the Americas.
As students dug, the dirt was carefully sifted to look for any artifacts. They kept small contained firms smoldering nearby so that the smoke would keep mosquitoes away, much like the Apalachee like did at the Mission.
One discovery, or actually the lack of a discovery, disappointed Worth this year. During a previous excavation years ago, they found remnants of a wall that were marked. This year, excavations on either side of the wall revealed that the wall didn’t seem to extend anywhere.
“We had thought it was the remnants of the church,” he said, explaining the layout (pictured left). “It was disappointing to learn that maybe it was not.”
Worth said he plans to bring the archeology field school back to Molino next summer, perhaps spending more time in the search for Mission San Joseph De Escambe history, and a few students may be explore more recent history, including the once thriving Molino Mill sawmill that was built nearby in 1886.
“There’s a lot of history here in Molino, a lot of history.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Editor’s note: The archaeological site in Molino is located on private property and is not accessible to the public.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
