Teens charged with burglary, arson after fire
Five teens between the ages of 13 and 18 are charged with burglary and three of the five with arson, after a fire at a private pool on June 27.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies were called at 6:52 a.m. to a locked and gated pool on June 27, according to arrest reports. The pool has a 4 foot, black metal fence with gated access and a small bath house within the fenced area.
A witness who lives next door told deputies that she heard loud noises coming from the pool area around 6:30 a.m.. She said she saw four teenage boys put on backpacks, get on their bicycles and leave through the south gate.
She said it appeared they had slept their overnight and were gathering their belongings, according to reports. She went down to the pool and found a life preserver ring on the pool deck on fire.
Deputies arrived and found the men's bathroom was also on fire and was still burning, reports said. Destin Fire Department arrived and put out the fire.
Two gas grills were also turned on with one burning and one "free flowing gas," according to reports. Deputies found five teens on bicycles with backpacks around 7:30 a.m. in the Best Buy parking lot.
The teens, 18-year-old man Shane Michael Swann, of
The minors are not being named due to their ages.
Swann said he'd seen the 15-year-old and one 14-year-old set the life preserver on fire, according to reports. One of the 14-year-olds admitted to setting the preserver on fire and then putting lighter fluid on the bathroom wall and floor before setting it on fire.
None of the boys could give deputies any reasons for their actions, reports said. Damage is estimated at $2,000.
The 13-year-old and one of the 14-year-olds are charged with burglary.
Swann, the other 14-year-old and the 15-year-old are charged with arson and burglary.
The 15-year-old is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Man accused of fleeing, cocaine charges
A 28-year-old Crestview man is charged with fleeing police and getting caught with marijuana and cocaine.
An Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy was in traffic on U.S. Highway 98 at the base of the Destin Bridge on the Destin side when he noticed a vehicle drive up over the curb and drive east on the median, according to the arrest report. The deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop, and it appeared that the driver was trying to find a place to pull over in the McGuire's parking lot.
However, the driver, later identified as Chris Henry Compton, made several turns and increased speed, attempting to flee the deputy, the report said. Because of public safety concerns, the deputy ended the chase, but noticed the vehicle in the west parking area of McGuire's, apparently abandoned.
A valet said he saw the driver run behind the restaurant.
The cocaine with packaged to be sold. A check revealed that his license had been suspended since 2009.
He is charged with fleeing or eluding police, driving while his license is suspended as a habitual offender, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana.
His next scheduled court date is July 21.
Man accused of trafficking opiates
A 29-year-old
Okaloosa County Sheriff's investigators set up an undercover operation in Destin on June 26, according to the arrest report. A confidential source was to meet with Kim Denord Gibson and purchase hydromorphone tablets.
The two used telephone communication to arrange the purchase and the transaction occurred around 1 p.m., the report said. The confidential source allegedly purchased 20 grams of hydromorphone for $3,000.
After the purchase, Gibson was taken into custody.
During a search, investigators found five grams of Hydromorphone in Gibson's possession, as well as the documented drug money and the cell phone that had been used in arranging the transaction, according to the report.
Gibson is charged with trafficking in opium or a derivative of more than four grams but less than 30 kilograms and using a two way communication device to facilitate a felony.
His next scheduled court date is Aug. 4.