Election results are in with Mitt Romney being declared Florida's winner in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary. However, in Calhoun County, Newt Gingrich was the forerunner with 41.63 percent of the votes. The totals for Calhoun County are as follows:
1776 Registered Republicans
687 Casting Ballots
38.68 percent voter turnout
Michele Bachmann - 2
Herman Cain - 5
Newt Gingrich - 286
Jon Huntsman - 5
Gary Johnson - 0
Ron Paul - 49
Rick Perry - 7
Mitt Romney - 180
Rick Santorum - 153
Entries from January 2012
NEWS ALERT: Teens Busted For String of Burglaries
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
Two Liberty County teens have been arrested following an investigation into a string of burglaries.
Tyler Paterson, 18, along with a 17-year-old juvenile who is not named due to his age, are facing charges of burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
The pair reportedly admitted to burglarizing homes, cars and boats, then selling some of the items taken. Check out this week's print edition for all the details.
News Editor

Paterson
Tyler Paterson, 18, along with a 17-year-old juvenile who is not named due to his age, are facing charges of burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property.
The pair reportedly admitted to burglarizing homes, cars and boats, then selling some of the items taken. Check out this week's print edition for all the details.
TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY - Feb. 1 Issue
Here's a preview of tomorrow's headlines in The County Record:
-POLITICS: Results from the Presidential Preference Primary
-IN THE PINK: Tigers help the battle against breast cancer with the annual pink game.
-AND THE NOMINEES ARE: Meet Calhoun County's Teacher and School Related Employee of the Year nominees
-CLASSICAL DESSERTS: Something yummy is on the menu at the Pioneer Settlement.
-MARCHING ON: Air Commandos to march through Calhoun & Liberty counties.
-TIGERS HONORED: Check out who won awards at the BHS Football Banquet.
All this and more in the February 1 edition of The County Record!
-POLITICS: Results from the Presidential Preference Primary
-IN THE PINK: Tigers help the battle against breast cancer with the annual pink game.
-AND THE NOMINEES ARE: Meet Calhoun County's Teacher and School Related Employee of the Year nominees
-CLASSICAL DESSERTS: Something yummy is on the menu at the Pioneer Settlement.
-MARCHING ON: Air Commandos to march through Calhoun & Liberty counties.
-TIGERS HONORED: Check out who won awards at the BHS Football Banquet.
All this and more in the February 1 edition of The County Record!
NEWS ALERT - Bicyclist Critical After Being Hit By Van
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
A bicyclist from Marianna is in critical condition after colliding with a van in Calhoun County Monday.
Mark F. Long, 48, was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital following the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rajesh G. Patel, 55, of Vidalia, Georgia, was behind the wheel of a 1999 Chrysler van headed north on County Road 167 just before 6 p.m. Near the intersection of Walter Potts Road, Patel approached Long who was also northbound on his bicycle. Patel reportedly attempted to overtake the bicyclist on the left, but Long changed course and traveled from the outside of the lane to the center. The right front of the van collided with the rear of the bicycle, ejecting long onto the east shoulder.
Patel and his passenger, Hansa Patel, 55, did not sustain any injuries.
The accident is being investigated by Trooper Dallas Jones.
News Editor
A bicyclist from Marianna is in critical condition after colliding with a van in Calhoun County Monday.
Mark F. Long, 48, was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital following the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rajesh G. Patel, 55, of Vidalia, Georgia, was behind the wheel of a 1999 Chrysler van headed north on County Road 167 just before 6 p.m. Near the intersection of Walter Potts Road, Patel approached Long who was also northbound on his bicycle. Patel reportedly attempted to overtake the bicyclist on the left, but Long changed course and traveled from the outside of the lane to the center. The right front of the van collided with the rear of the bicycle, ejecting long onto the east shoulder.
Patel and his passenger, Hansa Patel, 55, did not sustain any injuries.
The accident is being investigated by Trooper Dallas Jones.
NEWS ALERT - Man Douses Girlfriend With Boiling Water
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
A Blountstown man is accused of dousing his girlfriend with boiling water during a fight at his home Sunday night. The woman has since been transported to a Georgia burn center for treatment.
Harmon Nathan Brody, 60, has been charged with aggravated battery in the case.
According to the Blountstown Police Department, Cpl. Patrick Crawford responded to Brody’s Hentz Avenue home just after 10 p.m. in response to a physical disturbance call. He found Buffy Doughty, 48, in the driveway visibly upset with blisters forming on her face and right arm. Doughty alleged Brody had thrown boiling water on her and added that she had struck him with a baseball bat to defend herself.
Brody said the argument erupted after Doughty, who he had given access to his bank account, had caused him to be overdrawn and he felt she owed him around $1400. Doughty said the fight began because she had eaten an apple pie. Doughty said she was on the computer in the bedroom when Brody tried to physically force her out of the house. Doughty said she grabbed a baseball bat and hit Brody, but didn’t swing very hard. Cpl. Crawford noted a visible hematoma on Brody’s right wrist where Doughty had struck him. She said Brody remarked, “Nobody tries me like that in my house.”
Doughty said she went back inside and eventually went into the kitchen to make some tea, placing a pot of water on the stove. She said Brody approached and initially splashed some of the water, then took the pot and threw the boiling water at her face. Doughty attempted to block the water with her arms, resulting in the blisters on her right forearm, along with her face.
Brody offered to call one of his friends to take her to the hospital, but decided to call 911 since she was uncomfortable going to the hospital with a stranger. Doughty said Brody then asked if she was going to tell anyone he threw boiling water in her face.
Brody initially agreed to give a recorded statement to authorities, then declined and requested an attorney.
Doughty was taken to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, then transferred to a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, for further treatment.
News Editor

Brody
Harmon Nathan Brody, 60, has been charged with aggravated battery in the case.
According to the Blountstown Police Department, Cpl. Patrick Crawford responded to Brody’s Hentz Avenue home just after 10 p.m. in response to a physical disturbance call. He found Buffy Doughty, 48, in the driveway visibly upset with blisters forming on her face and right arm. Doughty alleged Brody had thrown boiling water on her and added that she had struck him with a baseball bat to defend herself.
Brody said the argument erupted after Doughty, who he had given access to his bank account, had caused him to be overdrawn and he felt she owed him around $1400. Doughty said the fight began because she had eaten an apple pie. Doughty said she was on the computer in the bedroom when Brody tried to physically force her out of the house. Doughty said she grabbed a baseball bat and hit Brody, but didn’t swing very hard. Cpl. Crawford noted a visible hematoma on Brody’s right wrist where Doughty had struck him. She said Brody remarked, “Nobody tries me like that in my house.”
Doughty said she went back inside and eventually went into the kitchen to make some tea, placing a pot of water on the stove. She said Brody approached and initially splashed some of the water, then took the pot and threw the boiling water at her face. Doughty attempted to block the water with her arms, resulting in the blisters on her right forearm, along with her face.
Brody offered to call one of his friends to take her to the hospital, but decided to call 911 since she was uncomfortable going to the hospital with a stranger. Doughty said Brody then asked if she was going to tell anyone he threw boiling water in her face.
Brody initially agreed to give a recorded statement to authorities, then declined and requested an attorney.
Doughty was taken to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, then transferred to a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, for further treatment.
OBITUARY - Dean
Yvonne Sanders Dean of Hosford passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012, in Blountstown at the age of 83.
She was retired from Florida State Hospital where she worked as a practical nurse. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Olin and Era (Bullock) Sanders; and three brothers, Dewey, Buford, and Floyd Sanders.
Survivors include two sisters, Ada Mae Jarrell and her husband, Lavon, of Hosford, and Nancy Wilford and her husband, Jackie, of Tallahassee; a niece, Sandra Jarrell, of Hosford; a nephew, Sean Wilford, of Tallahassee; and special friends, Beverly Furches of Tallahassee and Betty Orama of Telogia.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. ET, Thursday, February 2, at Hosford Cemetery with Reverend Aaron ‘Buddy’ Elkins and Reverend Joshua Parker officiating.
Adams Funeral Home in Bristol is in charge of the arrangements (phone 674-5449). On-line condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.
She was retired from Florida State Hospital where she worked as a practical nurse. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Olin and Era (Bullock) Sanders; and three brothers, Dewey, Buford, and Floyd Sanders.
Survivors include two sisters, Ada Mae Jarrell and her husband, Lavon, of Hosford, and Nancy Wilford and her husband, Jackie, of Tallahassee; a niece, Sandra Jarrell, of Hosford; a nephew, Sean Wilford, of Tallahassee; and special friends, Beverly Furches of Tallahassee and Betty Orama of Telogia.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. ET, Thursday, February 2, at Hosford Cemetery with Reverend Aaron ‘Buddy’ Elkins and Reverend Joshua Parker officiating.
Adams Funeral Home in Bristol is in charge of the arrangements (phone 674-5449). On-line condolences may be made at adamsfh.com.
NEWS ALERTS - Girls 13, 15 Steal School Bus For Joyride
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
Two Liberty County teens were arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a school bus and taking it on a joyride.
The girls, ages 13 and 15, were taken into custody and charged with grand theft of a vehicle and trespassing on school grounds.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, a Hosford woman called around 11 p.m. to report the girls had pulled up in her yard to speak with her son and told him they had taken a school bus. The girls drove off, honking as they left and continuing on their joyride. Several deputies responded, searching from Hosford to Orange. Sgt. Jamie Shiver located the girls just after 11:30 p.m. at Hwy. 65 and Old Blue Creek Road and initiated a traffic stop. The girls smelled of alcohol and admitted they had been drinking after stealing liquor from the father of one of the girls.
The bus had been stolen from Hosford School. The girls were turned over to their parents with a notice to appear in court.
News Editor
Two Liberty County teens were arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a school bus and taking it on a joyride.
The girls, ages 13 and 15, were taken into custody and charged with grand theft of a vehicle and trespassing on school grounds.
According to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, a Hosford woman called around 11 p.m. to report the girls had pulled up in her yard to speak with her son and told him they had taken a school bus. The girls drove off, honking as they left and continuing on their joyride. Several deputies responded, searching from Hosford to Orange. Sgt. Jamie Shiver located the girls just after 11:30 p.m. at Hwy. 65 and Old Blue Creek Road and initiated a traffic stop. The girls smelled of alcohol and admitted they had been drinking after stealing liquor from the father of one of the girls.
The bus had been stolen from Hosford School. The girls were turned over to their parents with a notice to appear in court.
Calhoun & Liberty Sheriff's Log - Jan. 23 - 30
CALHOUN COUNTY
Jan. 23: Brian Raulerson, VOP; Mickey Murray, state VOP; Aaron Dupree Burkes, suspended violation sentence
Jan. 24: Billy Joe Kay, domestic battery; Brandon Webb, county VOP; Dennis Sullivan, state VOP; Jeremiah Grzegorczyk, grand theft, burglary of structure; Scott Grzegorczyk, grand theft
Jan. 25: Cathy Summerlin, violation of community control; John Berry, state VOP; Luetta Deal, failure to appear
Jan. 26: Douglas Chandler, driving while license suspended or revoked; Amanda Gail Johns, domestic battery; Jade Cloud, county VOP; Andra Fountain, child support; William Simmons, sexual battery 10 counts
Jan. 28: James Johnson, driving while license suspended or revoked with knowledge, possession of weapon by convicted felon/gun, possession of weapon by convicted felon/brass knuckles, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia; Thomas Alday, DUI, felony driving while license suspended or revoked/habitual, refusal to submit to breath test
Jan. 29: Harmon Nathan Brody, aggravated battery
LIBERTY COUNTY
Jan. 23: Donald Wade Harcus, hold for Gulf Co.; Dennis Sullivan, hold for CCSO; Elizabeth Bellew, hold for Gulf; Tyler Paterson, burglary of unoccupied dwelling, grand theft, dealing in stolen property; Misty Arnold, possession of controlled prescription drug without prescription
Jan. 25: Corey Capps, VOP warrant; Cathy Summerlin, housing for CCSO
Jan. 26: Amanda Johns, housing for CCSO; Jade Cloud, hold for CCSO; Linda Neil, county VOP
The above individuals were booked into the Calhoun or Liberty County Jail over the past week. Although they have been charged with a crime, they are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Jan. 23: Brian Raulerson, VOP; Mickey Murray, state VOP; Aaron Dupree Burkes, suspended violation sentence
Jan. 24: Billy Joe Kay, domestic battery; Brandon Webb, county VOP; Dennis Sullivan, state VOP; Jeremiah Grzegorczyk, grand theft, burglary of structure; Scott Grzegorczyk, grand theft
Jan. 25: Cathy Summerlin, violation of community control; John Berry, state VOP; Luetta Deal, failure to appear
Jan. 26: Douglas Chandler, driving while license suspended or revoked; Amanda Gail Johns, domestic battery; Jade Cloud, county VOP; Andra Fountain, child support; William Simmons, sexual battery 10 counts
Jan. 28: James Johnson, driving while license suspended or revoked with knowledge, possession of weapon by convicted felon/gun, possession of weapon by convicted felon/brass knuckles, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia; Thomas Alday, DUI, felony driving while license suspended or revoked/habitual, refusal to submit to breath test
Jan. 29: Harmon Nathan Brody, aggravated battery
LIBERTY COUNTY
Jan. 23: Donald Wade Harcus, hold for Gulf Co.; Dennis Sullivan, hold for CCSO; Elizabeth Bellew, hold for Gulf; Tyler Paterson, burglary of unoccupied dwelling, grand theft, dealing in stolen property; Misty Arnold, possession of controlled prescription drug without prescription
Jan. 25: Corey Capps, VOP warrant; Cathy Summerlin, housing for CCSO
Jan. 26: Amanda Johns, housing for CCSO; Jade Cloud, hold for CCSO; Linda Neil, county VOP
The above individuals were booked into the Calhoun or Liberty County Jail over the past week. Although they have been charged with a crime, they are considered innocent until proven guilty.
OBITUARY - Schmidt
Mrs. Eva Gudrun Schmidt, born Christmas Eve, 1930, departed this world the morning of January 21, 2012, following a rich life full of adventure, travel, family and friends.
Eva was born in Västenede, Håsjö socken, Jämtland län, Sweden. She was the third of eight children born to Nils and Gunhild Lydén. She began her adventures early, leaving Sweden for the United States when she was 20 years old. After settling in Chicago, she worked as a dental technician and met her future husband, Arthur Schmidt, with whom she had three children, Linda, Peter, and Thomas. The family moved to Oregon in 1967, settling in Philomath in 1968.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Bosc, and her husband, Jeän Pierre, of California; two sons, Peter Schmidt of Blountstown, FL, and Thomas Schmidt and his wife, Susan, of Washington State; two grandsons, Ryan Schmidt and his wife, Amanda, of Alabama, and Pierre Bosc of California; three great-grandchildren, Derek, Katie and Cameron, all of Alabama; two brothers, Sture and Kalle, of Sweden; and one sister, Ingegerd, of Sweden.
No services are planned at this time. Memorialization will be by cremation.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 850-674-2266).
Eva was born in Västenede, Håsjö socken, Jämtland län, Sweden. She was the third of eight children born to Nils and Gunhild Lydén. She began her adventures early, leaving Sweden for the United States when she was 20 years old. After settling in Chicago, she worked as a dental technician and met her future husband, Arthur Schmidt, with whom she had three children, Linda, Peter, and Thomas. The family moved to Oregon in 1967, settling in Philomath in 1968.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Bosc, and her husband, Jeän Pierre, of California; two sons, Peter Schmidt of Blountstown, FL, and Thomas Schmidt and his wife, Susan, of Washington State; two grandsons, Ryan Schmidt and his wife, Amanda, of Alabama, and Pierre Bosc of California; three great-grandchildren, Derek, Katie and Cameron, all of Alabama; two brothers, Sture and Kalle, of Sweden; and one sister, Ingegerd, of Sweden.
No services are planned at this time. Memorialization will be by cremation.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 850-674-2266).
NEWS ALERT - Convicted Felon Caught With Meth, Weapons During Traffic Stop
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
A Blountstown man is behind bars on a long list of charges following a traffic stop in the early morning hours Saturday.
James Russell Johnson, 29, has been charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and driving while his license is suspended or revoked with knowledge.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Dep. Jody Hoagland received a tip that Johnson was driving with a suspended license and might be in possession of illegal drugs. Dep. Hoagland and Dep. John Scheetz spotted Johnson pull into a local convenience store parking lot just after 2 a.m. After verifying his license was suspended and noting his tag light had a bulb hanging, Dep. Hoagland initiated a traffic stop. Johnson appeared to conceal something between the seats as he stepped from the truck. He was also caught tossing a small blue container under the vehicle.
During a search, Dep. Scheetz retrieved the container beneath the truck that was found to contain meth. Brass knuckles were found in Johnson's back pocket and a loaded magazine was discovered in his front pocket. A firearm was located beneath the seat in the truck. Two round cylinder containers were found between the seats with suspected meth inside. A handgun was discovered in the same spot with a live round in the chamber.
Johnson remains in custody at the Calhoun County Jail with bond set at $13,000.
News Editor

Johnson
James Russell Johnson, 29, has been charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and driving while his license is suspended or revoked with knowledge.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Dep. Jody Hoagland received a tip that Johnson was driving with a suspended license and might be in possession of illegal drugs. Dep. Hoagland and Dep. John Scheetz spotted Johnson pull into a local convenience store parking lot just after 2 a.m. After verifying his license was suspended and noting his tag light had a bulb hanging, Dep. Hoagland initiated a traffic stop. Johnson appeared to conceal something between the seats as he stepped from the truck. He was also caught tossing a small blue container under the vehicle.
During a search, Dep. Scheetz retrieved the container beneath the truck that was found to contain meth. Brass knuckles were found in Johnson's back pocket and a loaded magazine was discovered in his front pocket. A firearm was located beneath the seat in the truck. Two round cylinder containers were found between the seats with suspected meth inside. A handgun was discovered in the same spot with a live round in the chamber.
Johnson remains in custody at the Calhoun County Jail with bond set at $13,000.
NEWS ALERT - CCSO Investigates Female Inmate's Allegations Against Officer
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor

An internal investigation by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has been closed after no evidence was found to support allegations from a female inmate who claims she was touched inappropriately by an officer.
Melissa Terry, who was arrested on meth charges Dec. 5, alleged Dep. Jason Dunn, a booking officer at the Calhoun County Jail, touched her inappropriately during a visit to the bathroom.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Melissa Terry arrived at the jail the afternoon in question with a small puppy stuffed in her shirt. Authorities had her secured on a bench while waiting for her relatives to retrieve the dog. During the evening, she slept on and off on the bench and asked to go to the bathroom at least twice. It was during one of the visits to the restroom that she alleges Dep. Dunn touched her inappropriately.
However, a cellmate of Terry’s told authorities Terry intended to use her allegations against Dunn to her advantage to mitigate her criminal charges.
According to Dep. Dunn’s statement, while he was interviewing Terry the evening she arrived at the jail, she told him she had multiple personalities and suffered from seizures, but had not taken her prescribed medication. When she asked if she could use the restroom, Dep. Dunn reported, “I directed Ms. Terry to the officer's restroom. It is customary for female inmates to use the officer's restroom in order to keep them separated from the male population. Because this restroom is accessible through the medical room, I stood by, guarding the sensitive contents of the medical area and waiting for her to exit. This is the method I follow each and every time a female inmate requests to use the restroom. Before Ms. Terry entered the restroom, I took possession of the puppy. It should be noted that Ms. Terry neglected to shut the door completely before she began to use the restroom (the door was open about 4 to 5 inches) so I pushed it closed. I reminded her to exit the same door she entered and not to exit the restroom via the metal door into the officer's station. As I always do, I remained close to the door so that I can hear if an inmate attempts to exit the restroom through the officer station door, as that door is not able to be secured from the inside.”
While waiting on Terry to finish in the restroom, Dep. Dunn said he became concerned since she was taking a long time and had been sleeping so much since she arrived. “I knocked and asked her if everything was okay, believing she may have fallen asleep on the toilet. She responded that, yes, she was okay. A few minutes later, she eventually exited the restroom. She appeared very teary eyed and stated she felt she may have a seizure. She then dropped into the chair that sits next to the nurse's desk in the medical room. Terry appeared pale and was sobbing at this point. She then said she just needed to ‘end it all’ and be done with it. Bearing in mind a recent event that occurred in the jail when a female inmate overdosed on medication she had on her person, and realizing that Ms. Terry had been prescribed a barbiturate, I inquired if she had anything on her person that I needed to know about to include medication. She stood up and yelled, ‘No!’ She then pulled her pants down approximately 8 to 10 inches revealing her underwear and I immediately yelled, ‘Stop!’ She then pulled her shirt up exposing her bra and I yelled, ‘Damn it, stop!’”
Dep. Dunn said he ordered Terry out of the medical room, but she would not leave. “She then leaned back on the exam table and continued crying and sobbing,” he reported. “She stated she wanted to help herself and asked me if there was anything she could do. She put particular emphasis on the word ‘anything.’ In order to clarify this was not a bribe, I asked, ‘Exactly what do you mean by that?’ She responded that she had information that would be beneficial to law enforcement and that she wished to speak to a deputy about specific knowledge she had about the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine. She stated she was not involved with cooking and she merely acted as a ‘lookout,’ adding she was ‘not going down for this.’ I told her I would relay her request to Patrol Sergeant Jared Nichols. I returned her dog to her and again ordered her back to the bench where she eventually lay down and fell back asleep.”
Dep. Dunn went to deal with the aftermath of a fight between two male inmates, then reported the fight, as well as Terry’s behavior in the bathroom, to his immediate supervisor. He was told to write a report on the matter, but failed to do so.
Later in the evening before being transported, Terry reportedly told Dep. Dunn she had previously been “molested” by three different law enforcement officers from different agencies. Dep. Dunn responded, “I assure you, not all cops are like that,” then attempted to steer the conversation back to the booking process.
Terry left for an interview with Sgt. Nichols, then returned to be fingerprinted. Dep. Dunn noted in his report, “Ms. Terry was notably more alert upon returning from the interview with Sgt. Nichols, to include smiling and joking, much different than her original demeanor. I remarked to her that she seemed more alert. She replied it was ‘just one of her other three personalities that was coming out.’ I then began the fingerprinting process and Ms. Terry was complaining of splinters in her hands. As her fingers appeared on the screen, she was remarking how ‘neat’ it was and commenting on scars she had never noticed before. She asked if she could roll her own fingers across the fingerprint machine since she had several splinters in her hand. I allowed her to do so.” In a videotape during the fingerprinting process, Terry can be seen laying her head on Dunn’s shoulder and patting him on the back.
When Dep. Dunn directed her back to the bench to wait for transport to the Liberty County Jail where female inmates are housed, Terry’s demeanor changed once again.
“As we exited the officer station and entered the medical room, she immediately sat down in the same chair as she had earlier,” Dunn reported. “I ordered her to get up and she said she was ‘feeling another seizure coming on.’ She didn't have a seizure before, but this is what she stated. Although she still looked a little pale, she did not appear to be having a seizure. I did ask if she wanted an ambulance and she said, ‘No.’ Because she was pale and said she felt faint, I retrieved a blood pressure cuff from the medical drawer and took her blood pressure...I remarked to Ms. Terry her blood pressure was a little low, but not alarmingly so. I then told Ms. Terry to get up, that was all I could medically do for her, but I would call an ambulance if she needed one. She again declined an ambulance and I directed her back to the bench.”
Dep. Dunn said all appeared well as Terry prepared to leave. “As she was exiting the medical room, she extended her hand and stated I had ‘renewed her faith in law enforcement’ and we were ‘not all animals.’”
Three days later, Terry wrote a note to a jailer in Liberty County where she was housed, making the allegations against Dunn. Captain Michael Bryant and Major Roman Wood arrived to interview her and learned she had just tried to hang herself with two shoelaces. While questioning Terry, she attempted to pull up her shirt in front of Inv. Bryant and Maj. Wood to demonstrate what she alleged happened on Dec. 5 and was ordered by them to stop.
Voice stress analysis was done on Terry and Dunn. Results were inconclusive on both parties, with no deception on one test, then deception when asked the same questions again. The fact that Dunn was nervous as he was preparing to give a 12 minute speech before 150 people at a law enforcement graduation a few hours later was taken into account, as were Terry’s mental issues. Results from voice stress tests are inadmissible in court due to such discrepancies.
Video cameras are not placed in the restrooms at the jail for obvious reasons, nor are they allowed in the medical room due to legal requirements for patient privacy. Thus, there was no video evidence to support or dispel Terry’s claims.
Three other law enforcement agencies were contacted in response to Terry’s allegations against other officers in the past “molesting” her. None of the agencies had any complaints on file from her and there was no evidence to back up her claims.
Since Terry’s allegations against Dunn, another jail employee filed a report regarding inappropriate flirtatious comments Terry made to him when she was being prepared for transport to a recent appointment.
Terry remains in custody in the Liberty County Jail. The case against Dunn has been closed as no evidence was found to support Terry’s allegations.
Dunn resigned from the Sheriff’s Office effective Jan. 7 to pursue another career opportunity.
“I have the utmost respect for the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for the way this investigation was handled,” Dunn remarks. “Never let it be said this agency doesn’t investigate their own. I was treated no different than anyone off the street. After spending the past year working days and going to school at night to graduate from law enforcement academy, this was a horrible allegation to face the very week I was graduating and preparing for my state exam. I just pray Ms. Terry gets the help she needs and this never happens again to any other officer.”
NOTE FROM NEWS EDITOR: One of the subjects in this article is my husband. This is an example of The County Record’s commitment to cover ALL news, even if our own family members are involved. We appreciate our readers and never want our credibility to come into question.
News Editor

Terry
Dunn
Melissa Terry, who was arrested on meth charges Dec. 5, alleged Dep. Jason Dunn, a booking officer at the Calhoun County Jail, touched her inappropriately during a visit to the bathroom.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Melissa Terry arrived at the jail the afternoon in question with a small puppy stuffed in her shirt. Authorities had her secured on a bench while waiting for her relatives to retrieve the dog. During the evening, she slept on and off on the bench and asked to go to the bathroom at least twice. It was during one of the visits to the restroom that she alleges Dep. Dunn touched her inappropriately.
However, a cellmate of Terry’s told authorities Terry intended to use her allegations against Dunn to her advantage to mitigate her criminal charges.
According to Dep. Dunn’s statement, while he was interviewing Terry the evening she arrived at the jail, she told him she had multiple personalities and suffered from seizures, but had not taken her prescribed medication. When she asked if she could use the restroom, Dep. Dunn reported, “I directed Ms. Terry to the officer's restroom. It is customary for female inmates to use the officer's restroom in order to keep them separated from the male population. Because this restroom is accessible through the medical room, I stood by, guarding the sensitive contents of the medical area and waiting for her to exit. This is the method I follow each and every time a female inmate requests to use the restroom. Before Ms. Terry entered the restroom, I took possession of the puppy. It should be noted that Ms. Terry neglected to shut the door completely before she began to use the restroom (the door was open about 4 to 5 inches) so I pushed it closed. I reminded her to exit the same door she entered and not to exit the restroom via the metal door into the officer's station. As I always do, I remained close to the door so that I can hear if an inmate attempts to exit the restroom through the officer station door, as that door is not able to be secured from the inside.”
While waiting on Terry to finish in the restroom, Dep. Dunn said he became concerned since she was taking a long time and had been sleeping so much since she arrived. “I knocked and asked her if everything was okay, believing she may have fallen asleep on the toilet. She responded that, yes, she was okay. A few minutes later, she eventually exited the restroom. She appeared very teary eyed and stated she felt she may have a seizure. She then dropped into the chair that sits next to the nurse's desk in the medical room. Terry appeared pale and was sobbing at this point. She then said she just needed to ‘end it all’ and be done with it. Bearing in mind a recent event that occurred in the jail when a female inmate overdosed on medication she had on her person, and realizing that Ms. Terry had been prescribed a barbiturate, I inquired if she had anything on her person that I needed to know about to include medication. She stood up and yelled, ‘No!’ She then pulled her pants down approximately 8 to 10 inches revealing her underwear and I immediately yelled, ‘Stop!’ She then pulled her shirt up exposing her bra and I yelled, ‘Damn it, stop!’”
Dep. Dunn said he ordered Terry out of the medical room, but she would not leave. “She then leaned back on the exam table and continued crying and sobbing,” he reported. “She stated she wanted to help herself and asked me if there was anything she could do. She put particular emphasis on the word ‘anything.’ In order to clarify this was not a bribe, I asked, ‘Exactly what do you mean by that?’ She responded that she had information that would be beneficial to law enforcement and that she wished to speak to a deputy about specific knowledge she had about the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine. She stated she was not involved with cooking and she merely acted as a ‘lookout,’ adding she was ‘not going down for this.’ I told her I would relay her request to Patrol Sergeant Jared Nichols. I returned her dog to her and again ordered her back to the bench where she eventually lay down and fell back asleep.”
Dep. Dunn went to deal with the aftermath of a fight between two male inmates, then reported the fight, as well as Terry’s behavior in the bathroom, to his immediate supervisor. He was told to write a report on the matter, but failed to do so.
Later in the evening before being transported, Terry reportedly told Dep. Dunn she had previously been “molested” by three different law enforcement officers from different agencies. Dep. Dunn responded, “I assure you, not all cops are like that,” then attempted to steer the conversation back to the booking process.
Terry left for an interview with Sgt. Nichols, then returned to be fingerprinted. Dep. Dunn noted in his report, “Ms. Terry was notably more alert upon returning from the interview with Sgt. Nichols, to include smiling and joking, much different than her original demeanor. I remarked to her that she seemed more alert. She replied it was ‘just one of her other three personalities that was coming out.’ I then began the fingerprinting process and Ms. Terry was complaining of splinters in her hands. As her fingers appeared on the screen, she was remarking how ‘neat’ it was and commenting on scars she had never noticed before. She asked if she could roll her own fingers across the fingerprint machine since she had several splinters in her hand. I allowed her to do so.” In a videotape during the fingerprinting process, Terry can be seen laying her head on Dunn’s shoulder and patting him on the back.
When Dep. Dunn directed her back to the bench to wait for transport to the Liberty County Jail where female inmates are housed, Terry’s demeanor changed once again.
“As we exited the officer station and entered the medical room, she immediately sat down in the same chair as she had earlier,” Dunn reported. “I ordered her to get up and she said she was ‘feeling another seizure coming on.’ She didn't have a seizure before, but this is what she stated. Although she still looked a little pale, she did not appear to be having a seizure. I did ask if she wanted an ambulance and she said, ‘No.’ Because she was pale and said she felt faint, I retrieved a blood pressure cuff from the medical drawer and took her blood pressure...I remarked to Ms. Terry her blood pressure was a little low, but not alarmingly so. I then told Ms. Terry to get up, that was all I could medically do for her, but I would call an ambulance if she needed one. She again declined an ambulance and I directed her back to the bench.”
Dep. Dunn said all appeared well as Terry prepared to leave. “As she was exiting the medical room, she extended her hand and stated I had ‘renewed her faith in law enforcement’ and we were ‘not all animals.’”
Three days later, Terry wrote a note to a jailer in Liberty County where she was housed, making the allegations against Dunn. Captain Michael Bryant and Major Roman Wood arrived to interview her and learned she had just tried to hang herself with two shoelaces. While questioning Terry, she attempted to pull up her shirt in front of Inv. Bryant and Maj. Wood to demonstrate what she alleged happened on Dec. 5 and was ordered by them to stop.
Voice stress analysis was done on Terry and Dunn. Results were inconclusive on both parties, with no deception on one test, then deception when asked the same questions again. The fact that Dunn was nervous as he was preparing to give a 12 minute speech before 150 people at a law enforcement graduation a few hours later was taken into account, as were Terry’s mental issues. Results from voice stress tests are inadmissible in court due to such discrepancies.
Video cameras are not placed in the restrooms at the jail for obvious reasons, nor are they allowed in the medical room due to legal requirements for patient privacy. Thus, there was no video evidence to support or dispel Terry’s claims.
Three other law enforcement agencies were contacted in response to Terry’s allegations against other officers in the past “molesting” her. None of the agencies had any complaints on file from her and there was no evidence to back up her claims.
Since Terry’s allegations against Dunn, another jail employee filed a report regarding inappropriate flirtatious comments Terry made to him when she was being prepared for transport to a recent appointment.
Terry remains in custody in the Liberty County Jail. The case against Dunn has been closed as no evidence was found to support Terry’s allegations.
Dunn resigned from the Sheriff’s Office effective Jan. 7 to pursue another career opportunity.
“I have the utmost respect for the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for the way this investigation was handled,” Dunn remarks. “Never let it be said this agency doesn’t investigate their own. I was treated no different than anyone off the street. After spending the past year working days and going to school at night to graduate from law enforcement academy, this was a horrible allegation to face the very week I was graduating and preparing for my state exam. I just pray Ms. Terry gets the help she needs and this never happens again to any other officer.”
NOTE FROM NEWS EDITOR: One of the subjects in this article is my husband. This is an example of The County Record’s commitment to cover ALL news, even if our own family members are involved. We appreciate our readers and never want our credibility to come into question.
NEWS ALERTS - Man Arrested for Sexual Battery on Teen
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
A 46-year-old Blountstown man is being held without bond in the Calhoun County Jail, accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl several times for over a year.
William Kevin Simmons, 46, has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Simmons' wife contacted the girl's mother with concerns about her daughter who often visited the Simmons home. Simmons' wife had reportedly found some text messages on his phone that made her suspicious. The girl's mother questioned her about her relationship with Simmons, leading to the teen disclosing she began having sexual encounters with Simmons over a year ago with an estimated 10 encounters occurring up until January 2012.
Several pieces of evidence were collected from Simmons' SUV and from an area where he allegedly took the teen parking for sexual encounters. The items have been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for processing. A search warrant was also obtained for Simmons' phone, as well as the teen's phone.
Simmons was contacted by Inv. Michael Bryant Jan. 10 and agreed to provide a statement. However, when Inv. Bryant attempted to call him back two days later to set up the interview, Simmons' phone was disconnected or the number had been changed. Simmons' attorney called authorities this week and advised Simmons would surrender. He turned himself in at the Calhoun County Jail Thursday.
News Editor

Simmons
William Kevin Simmons, 46, has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Simmons' wife contacted the girl's mother with concerns about her daughter who often visited the Simmons home. Simmons' wife had reportedly found some text messages on his phone that made her suspicious. The girl's mother questioned her about her relationship with Simmons, leading to the teen disclosing she began having sexual encounters with Simmons over a year ago with an estimated 10 encounters occurring up until January 2012.
Several pieces of evidence were collected from Simmons' SUV and from an area where he allegedly took the teen parking for sexual encounters. The items have been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for processing. A search warrant was also obtained for Simmons' phone, as well as the teen's phone.
Simmons was contacted by Inv. Michael Bryant Jan. 10 and agreed to provide a statement. However, when Inv. Bryant attempted to call him back two days later to set up the interview, Simmons' phone was disconnected or the number had been changed. Simmons' attorney called authorities this week and advised Simmons would surrender. He turned himself in at the Calhoun County Jail Thursday.
Obituary - Evans
Kenneth R. Evans, 74, of Christopher, IL, long time resident of Clarksville, FL, died at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at his home.
Mr. Evans was born on September 26, 1937 in Kaufman, TX the son of James Ebert and Lottie (McKee) Evans. He married the former Rosie Robey on August 11, 1956, and she survives. Kenneth was a retired farmer and a Vietnam War U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a deacon at Poplar Head Baptist Church in Clarskville, FL and enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and traveling.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Rosie Evans, Christopher, IL, two daughters, Beverly Diane (Mike) Lancaster, Dothan, AL, Ricki K. Wilson, Royalton, IL, one son, Richard (Anita) Evans, Christopher, IL, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, three brothers, Floyd (Mary) Evans, Hobbs, NM, Loyd (Frances) Evans, San Angelo, TX, Leroy (Barbara) Evans, Amarillo, TX, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dean Evans, one sister, Jean Henderson and one grandson, Luke Lancaster.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday, January 28, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at Noon Saturday at the funeral home with Danny Robey officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery, Whittington, IL with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280 and V.F.W. Post 5671.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959 and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.
Mr. Evans was born on September 26, 1937 in Kaufman, TX the son of James Ebert and Lottie (McKee) Evans. He married the former Rosie Robey on August 11, 1956, and she survives. Kenneth was a retired farmer and a Vietnam War U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a deacon at Poplar Head Baptist Church in Clarskville, FL and enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and traveling.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Rosie Evans, Christopher, IL, two daughters, Beverly Diane (Mike) Lancaster, Dothan, AL, Ricki K. Wilson, Royalton, IL, one son, Richard (Anita) Evans, Christopher, IL, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, three brothers, Floyd (Mary) Evans, Hobbs, NM, Loyd (Frances) Evans, San Angelo, TX, Leroy (Barbara) Evans, Amarillo, TX, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Dean Evans, one sister, Jean Henderson and one grandson, Luke Lancaster.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to Noon Saturday, January 28, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at Noon Saturday at the funeral home with Danny Robey officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery, Whittington, IL with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280 and V.F.W. Post 5671.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959 and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.
SEVERE WEATHER ALERT - Tornado Watch for Calhoun County
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several counties in Northwest Florida, as well as Southeast Alabama. Included in the watch is Calhoun County. The watch is in effect until 5 p.m. CT. To see a full-color interactive weather radar and track this line of severe storms, click our "current weather" link above, then select the "Command View Interactive Weather Map" under the local information block. Use the "hand" tool on your computer to move the map around and zoom in or out to see the full line of storms.
NEWS ALERT - IRS Says Tax Refunds Delayed
The County Record has just received information that the IRS is currently experiencing federal tax refund processing delays that are affecting all tax preparation methods.
Anyone who has e-filed taxes or even mailed their tax return early may have initially been given an estimated refund date. That date has likely changed according to the IRS. The most up-to-date information is available through the IRS Get Refund Status tool. Make sure to wait 72 hours after your return is accepted by IRS to check your refund status.
At this time, the IRS expects to process refunds in 7-14 days from acceptance. Click this IRS link to check your updated refund date:
https://sa1.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp
We'll update this information as more becomes available.
Anyone who has e-filed taxes or even mailed their tax return early may have initially been given an estimated refund date. That date has likely changed according to the IRS. The most up-to-date information is available through the IRS Get Refund Status tool. Make sure to wait 72 hours after your return is accepted by IRS to check your refund status.
At this time, the IRS expects to process refunds in 7-14 days from acceptance. Click this IRS link to check your updated refund date:
https://sa1.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp
We'll update this information as more becomes available.
Comments