Drug arrests made at Lake Cassidy - update from FWC added

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and The Florida Wildlife Conservation combined this past weekend for a joint investigation at Lake Cassidy, which is located in the Northwest part of Holmes County. The joint operation comes after several citizens have complained about people operating boats under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to a press release.

Through the joint operation several drug related arrests were made by deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. A female juvenile was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) after a small plastic baggy containing a white powder substance and straw were located in her purse. A male juvenile from Geneva, AL was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia after a search of his truck revealed several small baggies of marijuana packaged for sale.

Also, Bryan Keith Miller of Defuniak Springs was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substance (loratab). Florida wildlife officers also made several drug related arrests.

Sheriff Dennis Lee thanked the wildlife officers for joining with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office in order to deter people from coming into Holmes County to use and sell the illegal drugs. “I would also like to thank the citizens of Holmes County who brought these problems to our attention,” Lee said.

FWC news release

Lake Cassidy Detail Yields Arrests

This past Saturday and Sunday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement worked with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office targeting complaints and officer observations concerning illegal activity at Lake Cassidy. The detail focused on efforts to better a family friendly environment at the lake and reflect a positive relationship with the adjacent property owner, Plum Creek, to encourage continued public access around the boat ramp and swimming area.

Lieutenant Hampton Yates and Officers Larry Morris, Jim Brooks, Warren Walsingham, Lane Kinney, and HCSO Investigator Michael Raley and Deputy Daniel Morris with his K-9 Bear surveyed the boat ramp, swimming area and boating traffic on the lake. Surveillance was conducted at the ramp and narcotic use and underage drinking of alcohol was observed.

Ironically, on the preceding Sunday Investigator Jempsey Owen and Officer Ken White responded to a boat accident at Lake Cassidy. Investigator Owen completed his investigation this past week and found the operator at fault for careless operation resulting in a boat accident. The vessel operator had returned to the lake this past Saturday and was arrested for possession of marijuana.

The two-day detail yielded 4 felonies, 13 misdemeanors, 3 boating safety warnings, 17 vessels and 115 users checked. The felonies were possession of cannabis over 20 grams, possession of cocaine, possession of controlled substance without prescription, and possession of cannabis packaged with intent to sell and distribute. The misdemeanors were eight possessions of cannabis less than 20 grams, two possession drug paraphernalia, two underage drinking of alcohol and a careless operation resulting in a boat accident.