The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on May 7, 2023, of two suspects believed involved in an aggravated assault at a business on Thomas Drive that resulted in victims with permanent disfigurement.
BCSO Deputy Navarro responded to 5900 Thomas Drive at about 5:00 PM in reference to the incident.
He arrived to find that several victims had been battered by a man who then displayed a firearm which had been tucked into his waistband.
The suspect threatened to kill an employee at the business. The man fled the business with his girlfriend, who drove them away at a high speed before Deputy Navarro arrived. Deputy Navarro was able to identify the vehicle and the information was sent to everyone on patrol. The identity of the suspects was not yet known.
With only the vehicle information, BCSO Lt. Williams located the suspect vehicle, but probable cause was not yet established, and a positive identification of the suspects had not yet been made.
Lt. Williams did obtain the identity of the occupants before they were released: James McCoy, age 35, of Tampa, and Holly Norris, age 33, of Ocoee, Florida.
Once probable cause was established and the identities of the suspects confirmed as the same people as those stopped previously by Lt. Williams, the vehicle was quickly re-located at 10512 Front Beach Road by Sergeant Turner.
Witnesses to the incident had told deputies that McCoy had been wearing an Outlaws leather vest prior to the assault.
Once additional deputies arrived, contact was made with McCoy and Norris. McCoy attempted to conceal his identity to law enforcement prior to his arrest but was unsuccessful.
When McCoy was booked into the jail it was discovered that he was concealing a baggie of Fentanyl on his person.
McCoy was charged with Felony Battery (X2), Aggravated Assault, Simple Battery, Possession of Firearm While in Commission of a Felony, Unlawful Open Carry, Trafficking Fentanyl more than 14 grams, Possession of Marijuana less than 20 Grams, Possession of Paraphernalia.
Additional charges for introducing the bag of fentanyl on his person were Possession of Fentanyl and Possession of Paraphernalia.
When McCoy was arrested, he was not found in possession of the pistol he displayed at the scene.
A search warrant was obtained on his vehicle and executed by Deputy Pierce. Found in the vehicle was trafficking amounts of Fentanyl (16.9 grams), Marijuana, Paraphernalia, and the firearm used in the commission of crime.
Assisting in the execution of the search warrant was Deputy Navarro and Sergeant Turner.
Deputy Delaney assisted in the development of charges against McCoy and Norris in reference to the items found within the vehicle. During the course of this investigation, it was confirmed that McCoy claimed to be a part of a motorcycle gang identified as Outlaws and wore their colors.
Holly Norris was also arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact of a Felony, Trafficking Fentanyl more than 14 grams, Possession of Marijuana less than 20 Grams, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Due to the diligent efforts of each deputy involved in the response, investigation, apprehension, and search warrant related to this case, this dangerous individual was identified, located, and charged without incident and before additional members of the public could be victimized.
