Contact: Chris Buchanan

Telephone: 850-227-1115
Email: cbuchanan@gcso.fl.gov

MEDIA RELEASE
February 23, 2016

GCSO LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY

FEBRUARY 15, 2016 FEBRUARY 21, 2016

On Monday, February 15, Investigator S. Ferrell arrested Brian K. Darnall (42) in the 300 block of
Old Bay City Road in Howard Creek. Darnall was taken into custody on a Writ of Bodily
Attachment. He was transported to the Gulf County Detention Facility (GCDF).
On February 15, Deputy C. Smith responded to the area of Five Points Road just north of Port St.
Joe in reference to the theft of multiple power tools. The complainant reported that the actual
theft occurred in the 2700 block of Victoria Avenue in Highland View. The stolen items included
six 20v Porter Cable Batteries, two 20v Porter Cable Battery Chargers, a 20v Porter Cable
reciprocating saw, a black and red Porter Cable tool bag, two 18v Ryobi batteries, an 18v Ryobi
battery charger, and a 120v DeWalt reciprocating saw. The total value of the items stolen was
$875.
On February 15, the Gulf County Sheriffs Office (GCSO) received a 911 call from the Gulf Sands
Motel on St. Joe Beach in reference to a burglary. The complainant reported someone entered
his hotel room, while in another room, and stole a wallet which contained cards with personal
information and a large sum of money. The suspect was described as a thin white male
approximately 6 00 tall. The suspect wore a camouflage jacket with a hood and blue jeans.
The unknown male ran from the area, but was later seen leaving in a dark colored late 1990 or
early 2000 model Chevy Impala or Monte Carlo.
On Tuesday, February 16, Deputy C. Smith arrested George H. Whitfield (42) in the 100 block of
Burgess Creek Road. Whitfield was wanted for Violation of Probation. He was transported to
the GCDF.
On Tuesday, Deputy M. Ward arrested and served Glen P. Rushing (41) with a warrant for
Violation of Probation. Rushing was already in the custody of the GCDF.
On Wednesday, February 17, the GCSO extradited Megan L. Lincoln (25) from the Leon County
Jail in Tallahassee. Lincoln was wanted by the GCSO for Principle to the Sale of
Methamphetamine. She was transported to the GCDF.

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On February 17, Deputy M. Peek responded to a complaint of criminal mischief. The

complainant discovered damage to a Caterpillar DC 150 Loader which was parked in a clay pit
across from Buckhorn Cemetery north of Wewahitchka on Brian Setterich Road. The glass
windows in the cab appeared to be shot out with a firearm.
On February 17, Dennis F. Sullivan (63) was arrested by Investigator S. Ferrell on State Road (SR)
71 in Honeyville. Sullivan was observed operating a vehicle while having a suspended drivers
license. He was transported to the GCDF and charged with Driving While License
Suspended/Revoked (DWLS/R).
On February 17, Deputy M. Peek responded to the 2600 block of SR 71 South in Wewahitchka in
reference to theft. The complainant reported the theft of multiple tools from the property,
which included a side angle grinder, impact wrench, disk grinder, a hammer drill and two battery
chargers. All items were left unsecured on the property.
On Friday, February 19, Deputy P. Baxley responded to a physical disturbance in the area of U.S.
Highway 98 and Flat Water East in Port St. Joe. The call resulted in the arrest of Andrew J.
Veldman (18) for Possession of Less Than Twenty Grams of Marijuana, Possession of Drug
Paraphernalia, and Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21. He was transported to the
GCDF.
On February 19, Deputy C. Smith arrested Ashley C. Fennell (28) after he turned himself in at the
GCSO on a warrant out of Franklin County. Fennell was wanted for Affray. He was turned over
to the GCDF staff.
On February 19, the GCSO received a complaint of a residential burglary in the 2400 block of
Parker Avenue in Highland View. Deputy C. Smith responded to investigate the complaint.
Several prescription medications, three pieces of jewelry and approximately $35.00 was
removed from the home. The home was left unsecured.
On February 19, Deputy S. Cook responded to the Family Dollar in Wewahitchka in reference to
Retail Theft. The manager discovered evidence which lead her to believe someone had stolen
merchandise from the store. A review of the surveillance cameras confirmed the managers
suspicion. A suspect was developed in the case and criminal charges are forthcoming.
On February 19, Deputy G. Desrosier arrested Matthew T. Guthrie (19) in the area of Duval
Street in Oak Grove. Guthrie was wanted for Failure to Appear. He was transported to the
GCDF.
On Saturday, February 20, Deputy S. Cook responded to the complaint of a domestic
disturbance in the 2200 block of SR 30A in Simmons Bayou. At the conclusion of the
investigation, he arrested Christopher A. Earley (64) for Battery (Domestic). He was transported
to the GCDF.
On February 20, Sgt. J. Williams conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of County Road
22A and Richards Avenue for an equipment violation. The stop resulted in the arrest of Jeremy
E. Hysmith (36), who was operating the vehicle without a valid drivers license. Hysmith was
arrested and transported to the GCDF. He was charged with DWLS/R.

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If you have any information regarding the aforementioned cases please contact the Gulf County
Sheriffs Office at 850-227-1115 or 850-639-5717. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime
Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

Prepared by: Capt. Chris Buchanan

Approved by: Sheriff Mike Harrison

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