Dozens Arrested On Drug Charges, Many From Cantonment, Molino
April 20, 2013
Law enforcement agencies arrested nearly five dozen people over the last two days on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of the arrests targeted persons involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group” for a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Friday afternoon that 56 of 76 people targeted by Operation Blister Pack 2 had been arrested. In addition, the sheriff said 19 meth labs had been destroyed this year, along with 47 last year. Morgan said the investigation is still ongoing in the operation, with the possibility of more arrests.
“We intend to vigorously prosecute these cases,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said at an afternoon press conference. “Many of them have resulted in charges that will require a mandatory minimum seven years in prison. And some have also committed sufficient acts that we have charged them with crimes that will result in a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison.”
“Methamphetamine…is a very bad drug that effects not only these defendants, but their families as well,” Eddins said.
“It is surprising to us that anyone uses this drug because, again, the physical effects are so debilitating,” Morgan said, after discussing “meth mouth”, premature aging and other dramatic dangers of meth.
The arrests, targeting meth operations based in Cantonment and Molino, are expected to have a significant impact on methamphetamine in North Escambia and the rest of Escambia County.
“This is a pretty major group; this should make a large impact on that area,” Investigator Ken Tolbirt said. Many of those arrested, Tolbirt said, are “smurfs” that go out and purchase quantities of pseudoephedrine and other ingredients need to manufacture methamphetamine.
“They trade it to that person. If they give them a box, then they give them a percentage of what was cooked from the pseudoephedrine,” he said.
“They are just worker bees,” Morgan said. “Pharmacies track the amount of that compound that is sold.”
A dozen suspects were also arrested on federal charges as part of Operation Blister Pack 2. For details about the federal cases, click here.
The following arrests were reported on state charges by Friday afternoon:
- Heather Nichole Harris, 32, Forrest Street, Cantonment
- Dawn Cheree Brooks, 33, Forehand Lane, Cantonment
- Katherine Leigh Glass, 32, Forehand Lane, Cantonment
- Anthony Trevor Buttitta, 32, Frand Ard Road, Cantonment
- Todd Michael Packard, 33, Old Chemstrand Road, Cantonment
- William Bradley Edmonson, 25, Booth Avenue, Cantonment
- Lindsey Marie Murphy, 32, Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Henry Allen Miller, 38, Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Jonathon Michael Argerenon, Jr, 34, Forrest Street, Cantonment
- Brandy Suzanne Tucker, 39, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Nicholas Lawrence Ray, 22, Tate School Road, Cantonment
- Jonathan Paul Kite, 39, Belmont Avenue, Cantonment
- Nikki Lynn Kight, 45, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Danielle Suzanne Lowery, 18, Lakeview Avenue, Cantonment
- Jennifer Dianne Kelly, 33, Ayer Street, Molino
- Clinton Keith Edmonson, 22, Molino Road, Molino
- Shawna Reche Carnley, 23, Chestnut Road, Molino
- Kelly Ann Eddins, 26, Jefferson Avenue, Century
- Jeffery Gene Brown, 32, South Pine Barren Road, McDavid
- Lane Robert Edmonson, 17, address unavailable
- Tanya Suzette Carver, 46, Cranbrook Avenue, Pensacola
- Mark Avery Ard, 33, London Avenue, Pensacola
- Margaret Lorene Ard, 51, London Avenue, Pensacola
- James Ellis Roley, 27, London Avenue, Pensacola
- Katrina Maria Griffin, 25, Amberway Drive, Pensacola
- John Dale Highfield, 24, Aquamarine Avenue, Pensacola
- Clinton Michael Gant, 26, Aquamarine Avenue, Pensacola
- Heather Noel Reed, 31, Lillian Highway, Pensacola
- Lori Esther Cabuyao, 34, Stafford Lane, Pensacola
- Sonya Lee Weekley, 46, North “R” Street, Pensacola
- Monica Louise Rutherford, 32, Tower Ridge Road, Pensacola
- Thomas Richard Nowling, 26 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- George Steven Andrews II, 43, Chisolm Road, Pensacola
- Sebron Anthony Aikens Jr, 28, North “K” Street, Pensacola
- Clinton Dwayne Nowlin, 25, Chemstrand Road, Pensacola
- Sylvia Marie Rutherford, 35, Tower Ridge Road, Pensacola
- Sheila Diane Quinlan, 48, Suwanne Road, Pensacola
- Wilbur Arvid Petersen, 57, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Lisa Michelle Petersen, 48, North “S” Street, Pensacola
- Samantha Rose Petersen, 26, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Robert Harold Fulater 32, Bowman Avenue, Pensacola
- Cindy Kay Morgan, 31, Bush Street, Pensacola
- Donald Michael Morgan, 35, Bush Street, Pensacola
- Susan Ann VanDyke, 45, Tower Ridge, Pensacola
- Joseph Matthew Davis, 35, Action Street, Pensacola
- Tony Curtis Simmons Sr, 48, Twinbrook Avenue, Pensacola
Pictured top: A suspect is taken into custody on a meth related warrant by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and an undercover ATF agent. Pictured top inset: State Attorney Bill Eddins (left) and Sheriff David Morgan discuss the operation. Pictured bottom inset: Investigator Ken Tolbirt explains the Molino and Cantonment drug groups. Pictured below: Of those arrested Thursday and Friday on state charges stemming from Operation Blister Pack II, 19 individuals provided North Escambia addresses when booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Six-Year Old Dies In Escambia, Ala. Traffic Crash
April 20, 2013
A six-year old girl was killed in a single vehicle accident in Escambia County, Ala., on Friday.
Alabama State Troopers said 27-year old Lisa Hart of Brewton ran off the road in her 1996 GMC Jimmy, struck a utility pole and overturned. Hart and passenger 31-year old Christopher Dean of Repton, Ala,. were transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton for their injuries.
Alexis Pugh, Hart’s daughter, was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no seat belts being used in the crash, which occurred on Highway 41 about three miles north of Brewton.
Troopers are continuing their investigation, but they have said that speed appeared to be a factor in the fatal crash.
Pugh was a kindergarten student at Brewton Elementary School.
12 Local Residents Arrested On Federal Meth Related Charges
April 20, 2013
Twelve local residents — including six from North Escambia — were indicted this week on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related conspiracy offenses. These individuals were arrested on federal warrants and most made their initial appearances in United States District Court Friday.
Charged were: Gregory A. Militello, age 42 of Cantonment; Stephanie Ann Gunderson, age 26 of Cantonment; Shawn Michael King, age 34 of Cantonment; Joseph David Peterson age 33 of Cantonment; Hunter Grant Myrick, age 23 from Cantonment; and Kirby Brian Smith, age 50 of Molino; Joshua Paul Militello, age 30 of Pensacola ; Nicole Danielle Jones, age 32 of Pensacola; James E. Atiabi, age 35 of Penacola; John Wyatt Casey, age 33 of Pensacola; Jared Luke Hester, age 29 of Pensacola ; and Shannon Lee Hurd, age 29 of Pensacola.
Federal prosecutors say suspects were all were involved in a conspiracy to possess and distribute large amounts of pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine from January 1, 2011, until their arrests. Pseudoephedrine is a chemical used to manufacture methamphetamine. In addition to the twelve individuals arrested on federal warrants, dozens more were arrested on state warrants involving similar alleged activity.
Trial for the federal defendants is set for June, 2013. If convicted at trial, each of the twelve defendants faces up to 20 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charged in the indictments. Peterson faces a separate mandatory penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment based upon a charge against him involving the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The indictments result from an investigation by agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office.
The names of those arrested on state charges will be published in an additional article.
Alleged Bank Robber Busted At Motel
April 20, 2013
One person has been arrested in connection with a bank robbery Friday afternoon in Escambia County.
The robbery was reported about 5 p.m. at the Warrington Bank in the 13000 block of Sorrento Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department responded and determined what vehicle the suspect was driving. The vehicle was later found unoccupied at hotel in the 6300 block of Mobile Highway.
Michael Shane Walker, age 42 of Jacksonville, was taken into custody about 7:30 p.m. at the Mobile Highway motel.
Walker was booked into the Escambia County Jail on an armed robbery charge, and deputies said more charged may be forthcoming.
Pictured: Bank robbery suspect Shane Walker is taken into custody at a hotel on Mobile Highway early Friday evening. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Game Rained Out
April 20, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Jacksonville Suns scheduled for Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the Suns return to Pensacola for a five games series May 28-June 1
Fans with tickets Friday night’s game can use their ticket for any 2013 regular season home game excluding July 4 and July 6, subject to availability. Fans must exchange their ticket at least 24 hours in advance of a desired game at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, email or fax.
The Wahoos will now begin a 10-game road trip Saturday against the Jackson Generals. First pitch from the ballpark in Jackson is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Drop In Local Unemployment Rate
April 20, 2013
The latest jobs numbers released Monday show the unemployment rate fell dramatically in the North Escambia area, as did the state jobless rate in Florida.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate fell from 7.4 percent in February to 6.9 percent for March. There were 693 fewer people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 9,643 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment decreased from 6.7 percent in February to 6.1 percent in March. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,517 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 8.4 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 9.7 percent in February to 8.4 percent in March. That represented 1,220 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 8.4 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.5 percent in March, the lowest it has been since fall of 2008, as the state and national recovery from the recession continued – and Gov. Rick Scott said his efforts to get the state on track are proving effective.
“It’s working,” Scott said, using a new catchphrase that will be his campaign re-election theme as long as the lowering unemployment rate continues to give him the ammunition to do so.
The unemployment picture is dramatically different from just over two years ago when, right after Scott was elected the jobless rate in the state spiked to 12 percent late in 2010.
The March rate was down from a revised 7.8 percent in February and down from 8.9 percent a year ago, the Department of Economic Opportunity said.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 7.2 percent in March, was equal to February and unchanged from the year-ago rate.
DEP: Environmental Restoration Projects Make Progress in the Panhandle
April 20, 2013
Saturday marks the three year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Over the last three years, Florida has implemented restoration projects, funded by various sources, to help the Florida Panhandle recover from the spill.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to announce that several early restoration projects are either complete or making good progress,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. “We recognize that we still have a long way to go in terms of restoration, but Governor Scott is fully committed to ensuring full restoration of our damaged natural resources and loss of recreational opportunities.”
Florida’s initial projects funded under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment early restoration program include four boat ramp projects and a dune restoration project, all of which are in Escambia County. The Galvez Landing and Navy Point boat ramp improvements are completed, and have been steadily used for recreation by boaters. A new boat ramp at Mahogany Mill is under construction, and construction on a new boat ramp on the Perdido River is expected to begin at the end of this year. Work on the eight-mile dune restoration project has recently been completed.
“The progress of these wide ranging projects is a benefit to all Floridians”, said Nick Wiley, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “These projects help restore opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the rich diversity of fish and wildlife that inhabit our world famous beaches and coastal waters while bringing long lasting economic benefits to impacted communities.”
In addition to the dune and boat ramp projects, a second set of projects focus on coastal conservation and will begin restoring the damage inflicted on the coastal environment during the spill’s response and cleanup efforts. Work on the projects began along the Panhandle in January to protect habitat for nesting shore birds and sea turtles this season. Over the next five years, the state will administer contracts to post, survey, and monitor coastal bird nesting areas at 19 sites from Franklin to Escambia counties. These projects will protect important bird nesting sites in the Panhandle.
Sea turtle habitat will be restored through retrofitting lights on the beach so that they are “sea turtle friendly,” updating the technical manual about lighting for sea turtles, and an outreach campaign so the public understands the importance of dark beaches as habitat for nesting loggerhead sea turtles, a threatened species in the Florida panhandle.
Habitual Traffic Offender Jailed After Hitting Deputy’s Cruiser
April 19, 2013
A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after hitting an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser during a traffic stop near Bratt.
The deputy stopped 31-year old William Wade Steverson of Calvin McGhee Drive in Atmore for speeding on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek, about 2.5 miles east of Northview High School, about 8:20 a.m. Steverson stopped his Mitsubishi Galant on a moderate incline, several feet in front of the deputy, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At some point, Steverson removed his foot from his brake, and his vehicle rolled backwards into the deputy’s cruiser.
Steverson was arrested for driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, a felony charge. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries in Thursday morning’s accident. Damage to the deputy’s cruiser was unnoticeable, while Steverson’s vehicle suffered very minor damage.
Pictured: A convicted habitual traffic offender was jailed Thursday after his vehicle rolled backwards into an Escambia County deputy’s cruiser on West Highway 4 at Canoe Creek. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former Commissioner Kevin White Back In Escambia County Politics
April 19, 2013
Former Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White is back in county government.
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to appoint White to a two year at-large post of the Board of Adjustment. White received three votes from commissioners, while Angelique Sanders and Jim Taylor received on vote each.
White represented District 5 on the commission from 2004 to 2011.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment is tasked with considering administrative appeals, conditional use permits, site plan approval extensions and variances under the Land Development Code.
Baldwin County Chase Ends With Florida Traffic Crash
April 19, 2013
A driver that fled from a traffic stop in Foley ended Thursday night in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 2001 Honda Accord driven by 44-year old Rodney Durand Reynolds of Foley was spotted by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office at 
County Road 87 and Highway 98 in Alabama. Baldwin County deputies attempted to overtake the vehicle as it continued eastbound at a high rate of speed on Highway 98 into Florida.
Reynolds turned right onto Bauer Road before turning onto Seratine Drive and crashing into a wooded area about 10:24 p.m.. He was apprehended and detained on scene by the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.
Reynolds was placed under arrest by the FHP for DUI and driving while license suspended. He was also cited for careless driving and no proof of insurance. Additional charges are pending in Baldwin County. A passenger in his vehicle 39-year old Cynthia Foster of Gadsden, Ala., was not injured.