Courthouse overrun with drug cases

Published 6:26 am Monday, June 2, 2008

By By Lisa Tindell
In what has been called a “typical docket,” more than 70 percent of the cases set for the 21st Judicial Circuit Criminal Docket are drug cases.
Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy said the docket has gradually become heavy with drug related cases over the past few years.
Of the 168 cases listed on the docket, 118 of the cases are directly related to drug charges. Other cases may also be in connection with drug activity, Billy said.
On the docket for the session beginning June 16, more than 20 cases involve theft, burglary or receiving stolen property. Bringing the percentage to just over 82 percent of cases being related to drug activity.
Court cases are set to begin at 8:30 a.m. in Courtrooms 1 and 2 at the Escambia County Courthouse.
Cases scheduled for June 16 in Courtroom 1 are Steven Joyner — criminal mischief, first degree; Ella Bradley - theft of property, first degree; Wayne Saunders — unlawful possession of a forged instrument, second degree; James Slusser — sex abuse, first degree; Geraldine Johnson — unlawful possession of a controlled substance; Terrance D. Culliver — shooting into an occupied vehicle; and Annie Dooms — promoting prison contraband, second degree.
Cases scheduled for June 16 in Courtroom 2 are Wayne Sanders - theft of property, second degree; and Jerome Turvin — theft of property, first degree.

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