BCSO Criminal Investigations Division, 3421 Highway 77, Panama City, FL (2026)

05/13/2019

FYI - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

If you have any questions please call a real estate professional or local law enforcement, it could save you thousands of dollars!

11/28/2018

The Criminal Investigations Division received at least two cases just today where citizens were scammed by an individual claiming to be with the IRS requesting Google Play cards as payment or else they would "issue a warrant."

Please be smart and call law enforcement prior to sending money in any form to a stranger. Remember, there is nothing these scammers can do if you simply hang up the phone.

09/04/2018

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office made three arrests last Friday, August 31, 2018, after a search warrant turned up multiple kinds of illegal narcotics including co***ne and opioid pills that may have been laced with fentanyl, an extremely dangerous combination. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is considered one of the main drivers of drug overdose deaths in the United States. It is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than many forms of he**in. As a result, Fentanyl use can often prove deadly when abused.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division along with the Special Investigations Division served the search warrant on a residence in Parker. During the search of the home, investigators found approximately 3 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, 10 ounces of co***ne, 1598 xanax pills, 75 oxycodone pills, 42 hydrocodone pills, 1 Ta**us .40 handgun, a half pound of ma*****na, and $4,694 in US currency. Investigators suspect the co***ne and prescription pills may have been cut with the opioid Fentanyl. Samples of the narcotics have been sent to FDLE for laboratory testing to confirm.

A woman found inside the home during the ex*****on of the warrant was identified as Tara Santillo. Just outside of the home, investigators located two men identified as Raphael Dorsey and Herman Campbell. All three were arrested.

Raphael L Dorsey, age 36, of 7505 S. Hwy. 22 in Panama City, was charged with Trafficking in Co***ne, Trafficking in Crystal Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Hydrocodone, Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of Xanax with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ma*****na more than 20 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Tara Santillo, age 28, of 7505 S. Hwy 22A, Panama City, was charged with Trafficking in Co***ne, Trafficking in Crystal Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Hydrocodone, Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of Xanax with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Ma*****na more than 20 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Herman Campbell, age 33, was charged with Possession of Co***ne, Possession of Ma*****na more than 20 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

09/04/2018

What’s better than GAME DAY and three day weekends?!

Locking your doors.

08/31/2018

ARREST MADE ON LOCAL SMASH & GRABS

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Police Department responded to multiple vehicle burglaries at Bay County churches and nightclubs during the overnight hours of August 29 into the early morning hours of August 30, 2018. Windows of the vehicles were smashed and personal property was taken. Surveillance video at a nightclub on 15th Street captured video a black male and a black female driving a light in color SUV. They were identified as possible suspects.

On August 30 at about 10:30 am, deputies responded to a gas station on Hwy 231 in reference to a battery. Another deputy in the area spotted a light colored SUV leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop.

The vehicle was a rental car, and none of the four occupants had a valid driver’s license. Since two of the occupants were juveniles, a parent was contacted to come get them. It was then the deputy realized it was the same light-colored SUV and the two adults were the suspects seen with the SUV on the surveillance video from the night before. One of the suspects was still wearing the same shirt and shoes as in the video. All four occupants were transported to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office where they were interviewed and arrested.

John Octavion Brooks, age 21, of Columbus, Georgia, was charged with three counts of Burglary, Larceny, Filing a False Report, Giving False Information to LEO, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid License. Kimberly Smith, age 21, of Columbus Georgia, was charged with three counts of Accessory to Burglary. Elijah Smith, age 16, of Columbus, Georgia, was charged with three counts of Accessory to Burglary and Grand Theft. Another juvenile, a female, also of Columbus, Georgia, was charged with three counts of Accessory to Burglary.

08/31/2018

Today is a sad day for the Criminal Investigations Division as we say goodbye to our beloved, Paul Vecker. Paul is retiring after 37+ years with the Bay County Sheriff's Office.

He has left an impact with every division in this agency, especially CID. He has a special way with people and making sure victims are always taken care of. We will surely miss him coming to the office bright and early at 5:00am every morning and giving his daily weather reports.

Anyone who knows Paul, will not hesitate to say he is easily one of the kindest and most caring individuals they have ever met. Paul is a huge part of this BCSO family. He will be deeply missed and this office surely won't be the same without him.

We love you and wish you nothing but the best on your retirement!

08/29/2018

The Bay County Sheriff's Office estimates that around 40-50 people are arrested every month for domestic violence.

08/21/2018

The Bay County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Domestic Violence Unit has joined other agencies around the state to partner with the Florida Coalition of Domestic Violence. This partnership has produced child resource backpacks.

The child resource backpacks will be used for the sole purpose of providing a backpack to a child whose parent is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or stalking in which the child is displaced, either temporarily or permanently, from their place of residence.

These backpacks were designed to help children put their feelings into language, to bypass the feelings that children internalize by blaming themselves and carrying the burden of domestic violence.

08/21/2018

Aug. 21, 2018

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has taken Terry Kenneth Guice, age 45, into custody this afternoon. Guice is believed to be the man that reportedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and attempted to force people into his vehicle, a silver Honda CRV, on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

This afternoon, a citizen spotted a silver Honda CRV headed west on Highway 98.The citizen contacted a BCSO deputy he knew. The deputy was off-duty, but in the same area and quickly spotted the vehicle. The off-duty deputy contacted deputies on patrol who attempted a traffic stop. At this time Guice fled, turning onto Wildwood Road on Panama City Beach. The deputy pursued and additional patrol cars responded and a spike strip was set up on Wildwood to stop the Honda.

Guice swerved to avoid the strip, but one tire did hit the spike strip and was damaged. Guice ran through the intersection at Thomas Drive, Highway 98 and Wildwood on a red light, lost control of the vehicle, and hit two cars, causing minor injuries. Guice was taken into custody along with a woman traveling with him. Her identity and the extent of her involvement in his activities is unknown at this time. BCSO Criminal Investigators are interviewing her and Guice.

The investigation continues with additional details to be released as they become known.

-30-

Prepared by R. Corley
Information by Chief J. Heape, Sheriff T. Ford, and Capt. J. Daffin
Approved by Sheriff T. Ford

08/21/2018

UPDATE: Terry Guice, 45, has been taken in into custody.

—————————————————————

On August 19th, 2018 at approximately 9:48 PM, deputies responded to a business on Thomas Dr in reference to a suspicious vehicle. According to witnesses, a black male, portraying to be an undercover law enforcement officer, approached a female stating she had a warrant and tried to lure her to his vehicle. When she refused, he left the area.

A short time later, deputies responded to another incident that occurred at a business on Thomas Dr, where the same black male was approaching individuals demanding their identification and stating he was a cop. When no one complied, he left the area.

A third incident occurred in which the same black male approached another individual at a third business on Thomas Dr. The black male entered the store, asking for directions to the beach before leaving the store and approaching an individual sitting outside. The black male told the individual he was under arrest and had been following him for months. When the black male attempted to lure him to his vehicle, the individual left the scene. This incident was not immediately reported. The individual told the store clerk, who then told deputies. If you see something, say something!

The suspect is occupying a 2012-2014 silver Honda CR-V with a white female passenger. If you recognize the black male or vehicle pictured, please contact the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 850-747-4700 or CrimeStoppers at 785-TIPS.

08/15/2018

MISSING PERSON CASE OF EMILY PAUL CLOSED

Earlier this month, the Bay County Sheriff's Office was notified that family members of Emily Paul had received letters in the mail from her. In response to this, Captain Jason Daffin posted a video on Facebook, requesting Emily reach out to law enforcement, so that her safety could be ensured and we could ultimately close out her missing person case.

On August 14, 2018, Emily Paul contacted the Bay County Sheriff's Office. After a phone conversation, it was requested that she report to a sheriff's office or police department so that her safety could be verified and we could ensure the call was not being made under duress. Approximately 30 minutes later, a second phone call came in to the Bay County Sheriff's Office from a police department, stating they had a female in their lobby, saying she was Emily Paul. At that time, we requested photographs be taken and asked that they collect other proof of her identity. An investigator with that agency spoke with Emily, one on one, for a period of time. Emily stated that she was safe, she had a support system and she was happy where she was. She appeared to be in good health and she had arrived at the police station by herself and left by herself.

Additionally we would like to thank everyone who spent countless hours trying to locate Emily over the last five years. The Bay County Sheriff's Office wishes to announce that the Missing Person case of Emily Paul is officially closed.

BCSO Criminal Investigations Division

05/13/2019

11/28/2018

09/04/2018

09/04/2018

08/31/2018

08/31/2018

08/29/2018

08/21/2018

08/21/2018

08/21/2018

08/15/2018

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