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PRESS RELEASE William Eddins, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, announced today that Waylon Dwight Ganey was convicted Thursday on the charges of Grand Theft Auto, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer at High Speed and Driving without a Valid Driver’s License after a jury trial in Crestview. The charges arose from an incident which occurred on February 26, 2014 in Baker and Crestview, Florida. Ganey made contact with the Victim at the Dollar General Store in Baker asking for a ride to a store in Baker and then a church in the area. At that point, Ganey stole the vehicle from the Victim and drove towards Crestview. The Crestview Police Department stopped the vehicle but before making contact, Ganey left the scene.

A vehicle pursuit ensued with the Crestview Police Department and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The pursuit traveled down Highway 85 and into the Fort Walton Beach area reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph. Ganey eventually crashed the vehicle and fled. Ganey was apprehended shortly after the crash. Circuit Judge Michael Flowers proceeded over the trial and upon conviction imposed a 20 year prison sentence. Ganey had previously been found to have violated his probation and was sentenced to an additional 5 years for a total sentence of 25 years

Assistant State Attorney Laresa Dudley was responsible for the prosecution. The investigation and arrest was done by the Crestview Police Department and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Any questions can be directed to Assistant State Attorney Laresa Dudley at (850)689-5620.

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