Federal Arson, Firearm, And Drug Trafficking Charges Stemming From Fire At Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Federal Arson, Firearm, And Drug Trafficking Charges Stemming From Fire At Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys on May 29, 2020. It is reproduced in full below.

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida,

and Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley announced today that a federal indictment has been

unsealed against Tony M. Streeter, 46, and Betty J. Jackson (a/k/a Betty Joe Streeter), 50, both of

Fort Walton Beach. The indictment alleges that Streeter distributed, and possessed with intent to

distribute, methamphetamine on multiple occasions in August 2019. The indictment also alleges that

Streeter, a multi-convicted drug trafficking felon as alleged in the indictment, possessed a

firearm during the same time frame. It is alleged that these crimes led to conspiratorial acts at

the vehicle impound lot of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on or about Sept. 3, 2019,

which resulted in the malicious burning of a vehicle related to Streeter within said lot. Another

defendant, William Sims, has already pled guilty to his role in the federal arson charges. These

three defendants, who are charged with the planning and execution of the alleged arson conspiracy,

are all now in federal custody.

“Individuals who feel enabled to attack a law enforcement agency present an extreme threat to our

communities," said Sheriff Ashley. “With the arrest of the suspects and the steadfast support of

our federal partners and U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe, we are sending a clear message that these

individuals will be pursued, apprehended, and ultimately held accountable."

“When offenders attack a law enforcement agency, they attack the individuals who protect us and

help maintain law and order in our community," said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “The U.S. Attorney’s

Office will use all of the resources at its disposal to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who

commit these types of crimes."

The defendants appeared in the United States District Court in Pensacola yesterday and a detention

hearing for both has been scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Winston Arnow

Federal Courthouse in Pensacola. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting

the case following a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida

Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

“These indictments highlight how strong law enforcement partnerships impact both violence and drug

trafficking in our continued efforts to protect the public," said ATF Special Agent in Charge

Daryl McCrary.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of federal

criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a

fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt at trial.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that

serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access

public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of

Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of

Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys

More News