Four Washington County residents have been sentenced in federal court, after being found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine.
An investigation was initiated in 2019 by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force targeting the sell and distribution of methamphetamine, concentrating on major dealers in our county. This investigation span over several years with countless man hours, undercover operations, long term surveillance across several Florida counties to include Georgia and Alabama. We worked closely with numerous Law Enforcement partners to include: the Drug Enforcement Administration of Florida, DEA of Georgia, DEA of Alabama, Chipley Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Panama City Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Panama City Beach Police Department, Dothan Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Office of State Attorney Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, and the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
This investigation led to the seizure of more than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine and secured multiple federal indictments in Alabama and Georgia as well.
A federal judge in Pensacola found all defendants guilty after hearing facts presented of this large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization that primarily operated in Washington County.
The sentences handed down were:
Ashley Michelle Zurica: 43 of Caryville, Florida, 18 years Federal Prison
Ashley Elliot Brown: 41 of Caryville, Florida, 15 years Federal Prison
Donald Eugene Skipper: 55 of Chipley, Florida, 15 years Federal Prison
William Keith Carter: 52 of Wausau, Florida, 14 years Federal Prison
These residents of our county were responsible for the distribution of multiple pounds of methamphetamine throughout Washington County and surrounding areas.
As a result of our investigation, we identified a main source of supply coming into Washington County. This individual was identified as Eddie Wayne Hutto of Hartford, Alabama. Hutto received a 20-year federal prison sentence out of the Middle District of Alabama.
“We are continuing to work tirelessly to eradicate drugs from Washington County communities and to provide treatment for addiction to these drugs,” stated Sheriff Kevin Crews. “Cooperation and communication between Law Enforcement agencies is invaluable in the success of these types of investigations.”
