Federal Arson, Firearm, And Drug Trafficking Charges Stemming From Fire At Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Lawrence Keefe, of the Northern District of Florida, and Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley announced today that a federal indictment has been
unsealed against Tony M. Streeter, 46, and Betty J. Jackson (a/k/a Betty Joe Streeter), 50, both of
Fort Walton Beach. The indictment alleges that Streeter distributed, and possessed with intent to
distribute, methamphetamine on multiple occasions in August 2019. The indictment also alleges that
Streeter, a multi-convicted drug trafficking felon as alleged in the indictment, possessed a
firearm during the same time frame. It is alleged that these crimes led to conspiratorial acts at
the vehicle impound lot of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on or about September 3, 2019,
which resulted in the malicious burning of a vehicle related to Streeter within said lot.  Another
defendant, William Sims, has already pled guilty to his role in the federal arson charges. These
three defendants, who are charged with the planning and execution of the alleged arson conspiracy,
are all now in federal custody.

“Individuals who feel enabled to attack a law enforcement agency present an extreme threat to our
communities,” said Sheriff Ashley. “With the arrest of the suspects and the steadfast support of
our federal partners and U.S. Attorney Larry Keefe, we are sending a clear message that these
individuals will be pursued, apprehended, and ultimately held accountable.”

“When offenders attack a law enforcement agency, they attack the individuals who protect us and
help maintain law and order in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Keefe. “The U.S. Attorney’s
Office will use all of the resources at its disposal to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who
commit these types of crimes.”

The defendants appeared in the United States District Court in Pensacola yesterday and a detention
hearing for both has been scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Winston Arnow
Federal Courthouse in Pensacola. Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg is prosecuting
the case following a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

“These indictments highlight how strong law enforcement partnerships impact both violence and drug
trafficking in our continued efforts to protect the public,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge
Daryl McCrary.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of federal
criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a
fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt at trial.