PANAMA CITY, FL – A sprawling drug operation flooding Bay County with meth and oxycodone has finally crumbled, with the last of seven federal defendants sentenced this week. The two-year investigation, spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and a coalition of local law enforcement, uncovered a network responsible for distributing kilograms of methamphetamine and ‘multi-thousands’ of prescription pills across North Florida. The operation wasn’t just about drugs; investigators seized firearms, cash, vehicles, construction equipment, and even real estate purchased with illicit profits.
The heaviest sentence went to Darrell Britt, 33, of Panama City, Florida, who received a staggering 300 months in federal prison. Following closely was Johnny Wayne Carr, 58, of Panama City, Florida, sentenced to 212 months. Marcel Michaud, 57, of Southport, Florida, will spend 144 months behind bars, while James Wilson, 60, of Panama City, Florida, received 140 months. Kenneth Sizemore, 57, of Youngstown, Florida, got 120 months, and David Barron, 60, of Panama City, Florida, will serve 108 months. Rounding out the sentences, Mary Ann Brown, 52, of Youngstown, Florida, was handed a 108-month prison term.
U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody minced no words about the severity of the crimes. “Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe by removing addictive and deadly controlled substances from our communities,” Coody stated. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and prosecution of criminals who would bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentences illustrate the significant consequences of harming our citizens through their illicit drug trafficking activities.”
The investigation began in August 2019 when the DEA’s Panama City Resident Office Task Force zeroed in on Sizemore, Michaud, Britt, Carr, Wilson, Barron, and Brown. The scope expanded to include roughly sixteen additional defendants facing state charges. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford hailed the collaboration as a major victory. “We recognize the power in effective partnerships,” Ford said. “Our work with DEA and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida is resulting in convictions and removing illegal narcotics from our streets. This is a win for the people of Bay County.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter emphasized the urgency of tackling the drug crisis. “At a time when our country is experiencing a crippling drug overdose and poisoning epidemic, we need to be doing everything we can to keep our communities safe and healthy,” Reuter said. “Those who choose to bring this poison into our communities will be held accountable for their actions.” All seven defendants will face a period of supervised release following their prison terms, a small consolation for the damage they inflicted on Bay County.
The successful prosecution was a joint effort involving the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple local police departments, as well as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Bay County State’s Attorney Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Walter Narramore and Amanda Gordon handled the prosecution, ensuring the perpetrators faced the full weight of the law.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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