Law Enforcement Activities . . .

PSJPD Report

Brief Escape Nipped In The Bud

On Wednesday, September 1st, around 3:32 p.m., Port St. Joe Police Department Officer Russell Burch made a traffic stop on a green Ford car at the intersection of Twenty Second Street and Garrison Avenue. It was later determined that this vehicle was driven by Ronnie Lee Small, Jr., 21, of Wewahitchka.

During the traffic stop, the driver gave the officer a bogus name and date of birth. After further looking into the situation, he was able to acquire the driver?s real name.

When Officer Burch checked Mr. Small?s driver?s license through DHSMV, it reflected that it had been suspended. Burch then placed Small under arrest for driving while his license was suspended or revoked.

As Officer Burch attempted to cuff the suspect, he turned and started running. Small ran into a wooded area between Twentieth and Twenty Second Streets and Marvin and Cypress Avenues. Officer Burch was relaying his pursuit location to the department?s dispatcher as the chase continued.

With this information, officers were able to surround the area and apprehend Small within a few minutes.

Small was given a citations for speeding and an open container. He was also arrested for resisting arrest with violence, giving false information to a law enforcement officer, and driving while his license was suspended.

Small was then transported to the Gulf County Jail and is being held there without bond.

Taken In On Battery Warrants

Also on Wednesday, September 1st, around 1:30 p.m., Sgt. James Hersey arrested Sabina L. Daniels, 19, on a warrant for battery on a school employee and aggravated battery.

Daniels was transported to the Gulf County Jail from the probation office. She is currently being held without bond.

Multiple Charges Net Three Arrests, $40 Bond Release

Shortly after midnight on September 1st, Officer Burch made a routine traffic stop for an expired tag on a Chevrolet vehicle in the area of Highway 98 and Avenue D.

There were three occupants in the vehicle?one adult male, Steven Fleischmann, 20, of Port St. Joe, and two juvenile females.

Upon further investigation by Burch, the smell of an alcoholic beverage was detected coming from the vehicle. The officer also saw an open container inside the vehicle. Since no one in the vehicle was of legal age to possess alcohol, he arrested all the occupants.

After further investigation Officer Burch charged all occupants with possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of alcohol under 21 years of age. Fleischmann was released on a $40 bond.

Seven Count Cocaine Arrest

On Tuesday, August 24th, around 11:24 p.m., Officer Teeter arrested Demetrice A. Bailey, 31, of Port St. Joe. Bailey was arrested on warrants for seven counts of the sale of cocaine. He was transported to the Gulf County Jail and is currently being held without bond.

Sheriff?s Beat

Sped His Way To The Pokey

On Monday, September 6th, Gulf County Sheriff?s Department Deputy Richie Burkett stopped James Richard Love for speeding; he was traveling 69 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone.

The deputy checked Love?s driver?s license and found out it was suspended. Love, an 18 year old McDonough, Georgia resident, was arrested and taken to the Gulf County Jail for driving on a suspended license.

While speaking with Love, Burkett found out that he had been given a ticket about one hour earlier in Franklin County for driving 85 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone and driving while his license was suspended.

Ruffled The Creek Waters

Saturday, September 4th, Deputy Vince Everett and Auxiliary Deputy John Garner responded to a disturbance on the Old Bay City Road in Howard Creek.

They found that several people had been involved in an argument that had gotten out of hand, and that William Dobbins had allegedly struck an individual several times in the head and face.

William Dobbins, 37, of Wewahitchka, was arrested and taken to the Gulf County Jail on a charge of battery.

Multiple Charges Stem From Routine Traffic Stop

On Friday, September 3rd, Deputy James Jensen observed a car with an expired tag on Highway 71 in the Dalkeith area. He stopped the vehicle, intending to issue the operator a citation for the violation.

The operator of the vehicle, Jerry Gates, got out of the car cursing and hollering that he was being stopped for no reason. Deputy Jensen attempted to calm Gates, but according to Jensen he was uncooperative.

Gates, 55, of Wewahitchka, was therefore arrested and placed in the patrol car. While enroute to the Gulf County Jail, he allegedly told the deputy that he knew where he lived and that Jensen and his family were dead.

Gates was charged with corruption by threat, resisting with violence, resisting without violence, expired tag (less than six months), open container, no proof of insurance, and driver?s license not carried.

Gates was later released on a personal surety bond in the amount of $5,000.

Recent Bookings At The Gulf County Jail . . .

Tuesday, August 31st?Bryan Blankenship, 29, W/M, of Port St. Joe, failure to appear (home invasion robbery); and James Potter, 22, B/M, of Vernon, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, and no valid driver?s license.

Wednesday, September 1st?Willie Riley, 37, B/M, of Port St. Joe, failure to pay fine; and John Littles, 32, B/M, of Clearwater, child support.

Thursday, September 2nd?Robert Dykes, 38, W/M, of Port St. Joe, two counts of battery.

Friday, September 3rd?Robert Adam Cantley, 26, W/M, of Panama City, violation of probation (grand theft auto); Bobby Griffen, 52, W/M, of Wewahitchka, no fill permit.

Saturday, September 4th?Geraldine Newcomb, 26, W/F, of Port St. Joe, burglary; James Foster, 41, W/M, of Port St. Joe, burglary; Toya Grantham, 29, W/F, of Port St. Joe, trespassing; and James Fennell, 46, B/M, of Port St. Joe, child support.

Sunday, September 5th?Robert Price, 21, W/M, of Port St. Joe, possession of less than 20 grams.

Monday, September 6th?Jessica Smith, 28, B/F, of Panama City, fraud use of I.D. card; and Johnnie Taylor, 31, W/F, of Wewahitchka, worthless checks.