CRESTVIEW MAN INDICTED IN AUGUST 2021 WALTON COUNTY HOMICIDE
WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A Crestview man is indicted on first-degree murder and robbery charges stemming from a homicide uncovered during a multi-agency investigation in 2021.
On August 11th, 2021, Walton County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a missing persons case. During the investigation, WCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau tracked the victim’s vehicle in several locations in Walton and Okaloosa Counties.
On August 25th while searching one of the locations, deputies uncovered the body of the victim in a shallow grave at a property in Crestview.
The University of West Florida Forensic Anthropology Team assisted with the exhumation.
Shortly after, Shawn Richard Bennett, 50, of Crestview was arrested in conjunction with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges.
Friday, January 26th, a grand jury indicted Bennett for first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.
“Our Criminal Investigations Bureau continues to prove their tenacity in successfully investigating complex homicides resulting in arrest,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “This indictment speaks to their professionalism and commitment to finding justice for victims and their families.”
The investigation is being handled by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Josh Mitchell is prosecuting the case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit.