Inadvertent Calls to 9-1-1 Lead to Felony Drug Charges for Fort Walton Beach Quintet

Inadvertently placing a phone call on a cell phone while it is in your pants pocket is colloquially known as “butt dialing.” Butt dialing 9-1-1 is something to be avoided in most cases, as it is embarrassing and could potentially tie up resources needed for actual emergencies. Butt dialing 9-1-1 when you’re allegedly engaged in trafficking drugs – well, that can be more than just embarrassing.

Five people in Fort Walton Beach found themselves in trouble recently when one of them “butt dialed” 9-1-1. Jakaylea Salazar’s cell phone connected to the emergency number several times on the evening of June 10, and an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the residence of record to determine whether an emergency did, in fact, exist. The deputy sheriff stated later that he saw two men, whom he alleges were Brandon Roswell and Kona Mai, inside the residence handling a “white powdery substance.” When he knocked upon the door a third man answered, whom he alleges was Kyle Parker, and the deputy said that he immediately noticed an “overwhelming” smell that he attributed to cannabis.

The county’s narcotics unit subsequently obtained and executed a search warrant on the premises. The sheriff’s office says that the unit found about 21 grams of heroin, six grams of powdered cocaine, 152 Xanax bars, 20 partial Xanax bars, a loaded pistol chambered for .38 Special rounds, and nearly $2,500 in cash. Further, upon arrest, Mai was alleged to have been in possession of 18 grams of crack cocaine.

The quintet of four men and one woman ranging in age between 21 and 25 years have all been charged with several drug-related crimes, including trafficking in heroin, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and tampering with evidence.

While “butt dialing” is not encouraged, an intentional phone call to The Law Offices of Bjorn Brunvand will put you in touch with a team of attorneys with over two decades of experience defending clients like you against state and federal drug law charges. You can also have a representative of the office contact you to discuss your Tampa Bay-area drug charges.