WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A decade-old cold case has moved one step closer to closure for the family of a missing DeFuniak Springs man.

Skeletal remains located near Eglin Air Force Base property have been positively identified as John Thomas “JT” Watson.

Watson, who was 38 at the time he went missing, was released from prison on July 1, 2015. He had been staying with family and occasionally at local motels in DeFuniak Springs as he worked to rebuild his life. In August 2015, he purchased two used vehicles: a Ford Mustang and a Mitsubishi Mirage.

He was last seen on Friday, August 7, 2015, driving the Mirage in DeFuniak Springs. That vehicle was later found abandoned on a large, wooded section of Eglin property between Coy Burgess Loop and Nelson Road on October 18, 2015, with the keys still inside. It was photographed, towed, and taken into evidence.

Following Watson’s disappearance, Walton County Sheriff’s Office and partnering agencies carried out extensive searches across the area, and investigators pursued, examined, and exhausted every possible lead and tip submitted to our agency.

On November 24, 2025, human remains were discovered near Forest Oak Road on Eglin Air Force Base property. A set of keys belonging to the Ford Mustang was also found near the skeletal remains. No weapons were located.

The remains were positively identified as Watson through DNA analysis with support from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and DNA Labs International.

Our agency would like to extend our gratitude to the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office and Legacy K-9 Search Team for their assistance throughout the investigation.

Even with this discovery, the investigation continues. Anyone with information they think is important to this case is asked to call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850)-892-8111, or you can remain anonymous by calling Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850)-863-TIPS.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A 15-year-old is facing multiple felony charges following a shooting incident in Freeport Thursday morning.The

Walton County Sheriff’s Office was called to Stella Drive following a 911 call at 7:44 am.

A perimeter was quickly established, and the Walton Correctional K-9 Team was called out to the scene, as well as the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit.

As a precaution, Freeport Learning Center and Freeport Elementary School were placed on lockdown because of their proximity to the incident.

At 8:36 am, the suspect, Cameron Harris, 15, was arrested on S Jackson Street when he popped out of the woods and ran south across Highway 20.

At this time, it’s believed the shooting was an isolated incident and the result of a domestic dispute between parties known to each other.

Harris is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, tampering with a victim, tampering with physical evidence, resisting without violence, possession of a firearm by a minor, and criminal mischief.

He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail.

We would like to thank Walton Correctional K-9 Team as well as Florida Fish and Wildlife K-9 Team for assisting in the arrest and subsequent search of the area.

On Thursday, May 7th, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit executed a warrant at 56 Central 7th Street, a residence that has long been a significant nuisance for the surrounding neighborhood.

For quite some time, residents on Central 7th Street have reported heavy drug activity, suspicious traffic, and ongoing disturbances linked to the home.

During the search of an upstairs bedroom inside the house, investigators discovered a clear bag containing approximately 53.8 grams of methamphetamine.

The room belonged to Billy Ralf Simmons II, 54, of DeFuniak Springs, who admitted the methamphetamine was his. Simmons was arrested without incident and charged with trafficking methamphetamine. If convicted, Simmons faces a minimum mandatory sentence of at least 7 years.

A second upstairs bedroom contained a fully operational methamphetamine laboratory, including bottles with bi-layered liquids, chemical precursors, and equipment consistent with methamphetamine production. Testing revealed multiple containers of suspected methamphetamine oil totaling approximately 590.8 grams.

While investigators were still on scene, William Joseph Gay, 63, entered the residence through the rear door. The other occupants confirmed the meth lab was in Gay’s bedroom, where investigators also found documents with his name and address. Gay declined to speak with investigators and was arrested without incident.

Gay is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, 200+ grams, and manufacturing methamphetamine. If convicted, Gay faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years.

Both men were transported to the Walton County Jail and are awaiting first appearance. Investigators expect additional arrests in this case.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— The owner of a massage practice in Miramar Beach is facing criminal charges for a second time after a victim reported being inappropriately touched during a massage.

This afternoon, Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Blaine Searcy, 70, owner of Massage Therapy by Blaine in Miramar Beach, on an active warrant stemming from an April 20th incident.

The victim told investigators that Searcy had only provided two small towels for her to cover herself with, and he had touched her breasts repeatedly during the massage, as well as making inappropriate comments and jokes that were sexual in nature. Afterward, he told the victim his license was suspended and instructed her to tell others that “Chris” performed the massage.

During the investigation, it was confirmed by investigators that Searcy’s license had been suspended by emergency order from the Florida Department of Health on January 21st, 2026, following a complaint regarding various unorthodox practices and sexual misconduct during a massage in October 2025. The October incident was not reported to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

Our agency previously arrested Searcy in December 2023 for battery following a similar incident that occurred during a massage.

Searcy was taken into custody at his place of business on Tuesday afternoon without incident. Searcy is charged with battery and misrepresenting himself as a licensed massage therapist.

“Massage therapy puts patients in isolated, vulnerable settings where they can be exposed to abuse by a massage therapist with ill intentions,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Searcy abused his position as a massage therapist to sexually violate his patients on multiple occasions. Now, he is facing the consequences.”

Walton County Sheriff’s Office applauds the brave victims for coming forward and reporting these instances. We encourage anyone who feels like they may have been a victim of Blaine Searcy to reach out by calling (850) 892‑8111. Information may also be provided anonymously through Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers by calling (850) 863‑TIPS.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A physician is behind bars in Walton County after a Grand Jury indictment connected to the operating room death of an Alabama man.

The Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit announced that a Walton County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky with second-degree manslaughter in the August 2024 death of a 70‑year‑old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The indictment follows an extensive investigation conducted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit and additional state and medical authorities.

On August 21, 2024, during what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim’s liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table.

The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law.

“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.

“We are committed to seeing this case through with the professionalism and integrity our community expects.”

Dr. Shaknovsky was taken into custody in Miramar Beach on Monday morning and was transported to the Walton County Jail, where he awaits first appearance.

Before the start of school on March 24th, WCSO deputies and officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing on campus.

A School Resource Deputy was already on site and immediately responded and notified school staff. Minutes later, the juvenile suspect, identified as a 12-year-old Walton Middle School student, was detained a block from the school. A knife was found in a retention pond nearby.

Two students and one adult, a paraprofessional, were transported for injuries. The paraprofessional was treated and released. The students remain hospitalized at this time.

Walton County Fire Rescue provided immediate medical care to all three victims on scene. One patient was transported by AirHeart 2 to a local hospital, while the other two victims were transported by Walton County Fire Rescue via ambulance.

Following further investigation and a review of school surveillance footage, the suspect has been formally charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, wearing a mask during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and disrupting a school function.

The suspect is currently being held with no bond in secure juvenile detention in Crestview.

“This incident was brought under control within minutes due to the swift response of our School Resource Deputy, patrol deputies, and our partners at the DeFuniak Springs Police Department,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and the Walton Middle School community as this case moves forward.”

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to Walton County Fire Rescue, DeFuniak Springs Fire Department, DeFuniak Springs Police Department, AirHeart 2, and Walton County Emergency Management for their swift response and assistance on scene and at the reunification site.

This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office had a School Resource Deputy on campus, and additional patrol deputies responded, as well as officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department.

At 7:30 am, a suspect, a Walton Middle School student, was detained a block from the school.

Two students and one adult were transported with injuries.

Class at Walton Middle School was cancelled for Tuesday.

“Our first priority, along with Walton County School District was to ensure that students and staff were safe, the situation was brought under control, and accurate information was relayed to parents regarding reunification,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson.

Additional information will be released when it is available. We appreciate the public’s patience as we continue our investigation.

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Walton County Sheriff’s Office jail employee has been arrested following a criminal investigation revealing she engaged in sexual conduct with an inmate at the Walton County Jail.

On February 18th, WCSO investigators received information regarding an inappropriate relationship between Kelly Jo Johnson, 56, of Bonifay, a kitchen employee at the Walton County Jail, and an inmate assigned to kitchen duties. The information prompted an internal and criminal investigation.

Investigators conducted a series of interviews, reviewed recorded jail phone calls, examined surveillance video, and collected additional evidence. The investigation determined there was probable cause to believe Johnson engaged in unlawful physical contact with the inmate inside a secured area of the jail and communicated with him outside the scope of her duties using methods intended to evade monitoring.

Johnson was terminated from employment at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, February 27th. She had been with the agency since October 2025.

The evidence was presented to the State Attorney’s Office, and an arrest warrant was issued for Johnson, who turned herself into the Walton County Jail on March 4 at 10 pm. She is charged with felony sexual misconduct between detention facility employees and inmates.

“These actions are a betrayal of the professionalism and ethical standards we expect of every employee,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “When someone abuses their position of trust, we will take swift and decisive action. No one is above the law – civilian or sworn – who works at this agency.”

Additional administrative reviews remain ongoing. More information will be released once it’s available.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A 20-year-old Mossy Head man is facing more than 20 charges related to the possession and transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).  

The arrest follows a search warrant done by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau Cyber Crimes Unit early Wednesday morning on Honeysuckle Street in Mossy Head.

The search warrant was the result of an extensive investigation into a tips sent to our agency from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a social media user who actively sought out, downloaded, and sent CSAM.

The username and email led investigators to Kadyn DeWayne Ainsworth. It was discovered that Ainsworth had been seeking out CSAM on various platforms before downloading and even distributing the material to other users that included children from 4-10 years old.

Ainsworth also asked for videos to include incestual topics and age ranges of 10-16 years old asking, “not too young bc I like to see them feel and know what’s happening yk.”

He faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography, 10 counts of transmitting child pornography, and one count of using a two-way communication device in the commission of a felony. Following his arrest, Ainsworth was given an $85,000 bond and is still incarcerated at the time of this release.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— Beginning Thursday, February 19^th, Walton County Sheriff’s Office is introducing a new victim notification system designed to keep crime victims informed throughout the entire criminal justice process.

This enhanced system, powered by VINE® and Versaterm CommunityConnect, provides automated updates from the initial 9-1-1 call through key stages such as judicial proceedings, incarceration, protective orders, and release.

This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting victims by improving communication and ensuring they receive timely, consistent updates. The goal is to promote safety, awareness, and peace of mind for those impacted by crime while also opening the door for feedback regarding interactions.

When a crime victim calls 9-1-1, their phone number is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system. From that point on, they will receive notifications throughout the investigation. If they register with VINE, updates will continue through the offender’s incarceration and any parole or release events.

By combining these tools, victims receive near real-time notifications from the moment an incident occurs through the post-arrest judicial process. This bridges the gap in communication and helps victims feel supported every step of the way.

VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network, providing secure updates on offender custody status in more than 45 states. Victims and concerned individuals can check custody status and sign up for notifications by phone, online, or through a mobile app.

Versaterm CommunityConnect complements VINE by keeping individuals informed from the moment an incident is reported, offering real-time updates during investigations and mobile-friendly surveys to help us improve.

More information on VINE and Versaterm can be found here: https://vine.equifax.com/eevn-vine-versaterm