DEPARTMENT HISTORY AND PHOTOS BEING SOUGHT

The Bonifay Police Department is asking for some assistance in obtaining more history about the department. Chief Chris Wells stated that since taking over as Chief in February of last year, it has come to his attention that very little information on past administrations and employees exists. Wells would like to have a photo gallery of past Police Chiefs and Fire Chiefs on display at the Police and Fire Headquarters as well as on the Department’s websites at www.bonifaypolice.com and www.bonifayfire.com Anyone who can provide photographs of former chiefs, officers, staff, events, etc… is asked to do so. Also, any information to create a time-line for the department from it’s creation to the 1980’s would be greatly appreciated as well.

SEXUAL OFFENDER ARRESTED FOR FAILURE TO REGISTER

The Bonifay Police Department received a call to Bonifay City Hall regarding a possible ordinance violation and an unruly customer. Contact was made with Aaron Jackson Sellers (W/M 73 yoa) who was being verbally aggressive with city employees. Sellers stated that he was attempting to have utilities activated at an address on West Indiana Avenue. A new city ordinance has recently been created that would prevent Sellers, who is required to register as a sexual offender from living at this address. The reason being that the address on West Indiana is located near a child daycare facility. When Sellers was informed of the ordinance, he admitted to having lived at the location since January of this year and had been obtaining drinking water elsewhere. According to the FDLE Sexual Offender Registry, Sellers listed an address of 701 East Highway 90, Lot #19, Bonifay as of December 2, 2009. Sellers was found to be in violation of Florida State Statute 943.0435(9)(a) by his own admission and was placed under arrest and transported to the Holmes County Jail.

ROADSIDE SAFETY AND DUI CHECKPOINTS

The Bonifay Police Department will be conducting “Roadside Safety” checkpoints throughout February and March 2010 at the following locations: State Road 79, North Avenue, County Road 177-A, County Road 173, US Highway 90, North Caryville Road, St. John’s Road, Jenkins Boulevard, Weeks Street, Brock Avenue, McGee Road and Son-In-Law Road. Checkpoints will include, but are not limited to, these locations.
Recognizing the danger presented to the public by defective vehicle equipment, officers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated with defects such as, but not limited to, bad brakes, worn tires, and defective lighting equipment. In addition, attention will be directed to drivers who violate the drivers license and seatbelt laws of the State of Florida.

ALERT – “RELATIVE NEEDS MONEY” SCAM RESURFACES

The Bonifay Police Department is receiving reports that a scam that made the rounds in the region last year is back once again. In this scam, you get a phone call from someone claiming to be a relative in distress or the friend of a relative in distress. Grandparents are the most common targets. For instance, the caller will sometimes claim to be the friend of a grandson who has been arrested and needs money to make bond, or a family member who has been involved in a traffic crash. In the most recent complaint, the relative was attending the Olympic Games and had been involved in a traffic crash. The caller usually requests that the money be sent through Western Union to either Canada or overseas. This unfortunately places the crime out of local law enforcements jurisdiction. If you're unsure whether the call is legitimate, try to get as much detailed information as possible that only the relative would know. Also, verify the distress story through a third party, if at all possible.

SEXUAL PREDATOR ARRESTED FOR FLEEING

On February 7th the Bonifay Police Department arrested Jeffrey S. Morrill (W/M 27 yoa) of Bonifay after he fled from law enforcement in a vehicle pursuit. An officer observed a white Ford Taurus being driven by Morrill in a reckless manner near a residential apartment complex. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Morrill accelerated and began traveling down residential streets at a high rate of speed. The pursuit was cancelled, but Morrill was later located and transported to the Holmes County Jail on charges of felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and violation of probation. According to the Florida Department of Corrections website, Morrill was under probation supervision for the offense of capital sexual battery (victim less than 12 yoa). Further investigation is being conducted as to why Morrill fled and additional charges are possible.

TWO ARRESTED IN SEPARATE FELONY OFFENSES

Margaret S. Rabon

The Bonifay Police Department made arrests in two felony cases over the weekend. Both investigations began with anonymous calls to Holmes County Central Dispatch. On Friday afternoon, a call was received from a concerned motorist of a vehicle being driven recklessly traveling south on State Road 79. An officer was able to intercept the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop. Further investigation led to the arrest of the driver, identified as Joel Phillip Fussell Jr. (W/M 41 yoa) of Midland City, Alabama. Fussell was charged with possession of prescription medication without a prescription (Xanax) and transported to the Holmes County Jail. Fussell was also cited for not wearing a seatbelt and an open container violation.
Later in the evening on Friday, an anonymous caller reported to dispatch that methamphetamine was being manufactured at a residence on South Weeks Street in Bonifay. Officers traveled to the location provided by the caller to conduct what is commonly called a “knock and talk” investigation. The officers obtained permission to search the residence where items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine was located. Officers discovered several components used in the manufacturing process including plastic bottles with suspected methamphetamine oil and other unknown bi-layered liquids. As a result, Margaret S. Rabon (W/F 41 yoa) of Bonifay was arrested and charged with a single count of manufacturing a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Rabon was transported to the Holmes County Jail where she is being held on a $10,000.00 bond.
Anyone that has information regarding criminal activity, please contact the Bonifay Police Department at 850-547-3661 or Crimestoppers of Holmes County at 1-866-689-8477. Callers to Crimestoppers are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00.

TWO ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT BURGLARIES

Anthony Allen Dault				Robert Leslie "Bobby" Cummings Jr.

The Bonifay Police Department has arrested two suspects involved in the recent burglaries occurring at downtown businesses. The suspects are identified as Anthony Allen Dault (W/M 18 yoa) and Robert Leslie “Bobby” Cummings Jr. (W/M 16 yoa) both of Bonifay. Dault faces a total of twenty four criminal charges, including ten counts of burglary. Cummings faces twenty two criminal charges with nine of those being for burglary. Additional charges are likely as information obtained in the investigation has revealed that the suspects are responsible for offenses that were not initially reported to law enforcement. The 14th Judicial State Attorney’s Office has filed necessary paperwork to charge Cummings as an adult for his involvement in these offenses. Cummings was arrested today and awaits first appearance tomorrow at the Holmes County Courthouse. Dault was arrested yesterday (January 13th) and had his first appearance before the Honorable Judge Owen Powell this morning. Dault is now being held on a total of $132,000.00 bond and sentenced to serve 60 days for a previous charge of petit theft. Dault had initially received county probation for that offense. Chief Chris Wells would like to thank all of his officers for their hard work and diligence with the investigation of the burglaries and their attention to detail when processing the crime scenes. Also, receiving thanks is the Crimestoppers Board for their continued support of law enforcement operations in Bonifay and Holmes County. While the two arrestees were considered suspects, it was an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers of Holmes County that ultimately led to their arrest. Crimestoppers Board President Lt. Larry White (Ret.) and the current sitting Board members are much appreciated for their service.

If anyone has additional information regarding these offenses or any other crime please contact the:

Bonifay Police Department at 850-547-3661 or

Crimestoppers of Holmes County at 1-866-689-8477.