Tallahassee Sun

Shaun Edward McBay, 51, of Freeport, Florida, has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Methamphetamine distribution is a scourge on large and small communities of our district,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “With our dedicated law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying and aggressively prosecuting those who threaten our citizens’ health and safety by distributing such addictive, controlled substances. This sentence acknowledges the defendant’s continued criminal conduct and sends a straightforward message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm and drug offenses.”

On April 9, 2023, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies seized 565 grams of methamphetamine from McBay during a traffic stop in Destin, Florida. Eight days later, Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a state search warrant at McBay’s residence in Freeport. During the search, investigators located and seized additional methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia including digital scales and baggies used for drug distribution, seven firearms, and 146 rounds of ammunition.

McBay's prison sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

“Meth distribution doesn’t just devastate individuals. It devastates communities,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “Every time we partner together to take a meth dealer like Shaun McBay off our streets, we score a victory for the overall health, safety, and quality of life of our entire region.”

“I cannot stress enough the importance of good partnerships and how those translate into successful investigations, arrests, and prosecutions,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “The result is getting dangerous drugs off the streets before they poison our community.”

“Our partnerships with local sheriff’s offices, and our state and federal partners make arrests like this one possible,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This person peddled dangerous substances that rip apart families and communities. Through our joint efforts we were able to take him off the streets.”

This sentencing resulted from collaborative investigations involving the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), among others within the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force (HIDTA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together all levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer.

As part of its PSN strategy aimed at reducing crime rates through strategic enforcement priorities based on fostering trust within communities alongside support for community-based organizations working towards violence prevention; it also emphasizes locking car doors particularly at night due burglaries being significant sources guns criminals Northern District Florida urging everyone protect themselves accordingly doing so ensuring safety all involved parties concerned authorities noted department launched new initiative May 26th last year strengthening core principles aforementioned aims outcomes measured effectively ensure success long-term goals set forth therein

For more information about public court documents or other details regarding operations handled under jurisdictional purview relevant departments associated legal proceedings please visit official websites listed below:

http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html

U.S District Court Northern District website accessible general public interested accessing detailed records related ongoing concluded cases filed respective courts nationwide