FREEPORT MAN TRIED TO CONCEAL DRUGS IN PATROL CAR AFTER SEARCH WARRANT; SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON
WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Walton County man who attempted to conceal more than 30 grams of fentanyl in the back of a patrol car during his arrest is sentenced to seven years in prison.
In February 2023, Walton County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant on Power Line Road in Freeport. Robert Seth Whittaker, who was on probation for drug charges, was arrested and transported to Walton County Jail.
Once at the jail, a cavity search was being conducted when a chunk of purple powder fell out of his anus. That powder was confirmed to be fentanyl.
Information later obtained revealed Whittaker discarded a large quantity of fentanyl under the rear seat of the patrol car while being transported to the jail.
In car dash cam footage confirmed while handcuffed to the rear Whittaker reached into the area of his buttocks removed plastic bags and then stuffed them in the area where the seat belt goes into the plastic molding of the seat.
The patrol car was immediately secured, searched, and found to contain approximately 30 grams of fentanyl under the rear seat once the seat had been removed.
The plastic bags tore during the process, and loose fentanyl residue covered the area under the seat requiring the car to be out of service for nearly three months until it could be professionally cleaned for the safety of the deputies and future arrestees who might be transported in the vehicle.
Whittaker was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, felony violation of probation, introduction of contraband into a jail facility, tampering with evidence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
As part of a plea agreement, 33-year-old Whittaker pled guilty to trafficking in fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia on January 4th. He was sentenced to a mandatory term of seven years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
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