Media Advisory                                              

For Immediate Release
August 30, 2005
Contact: Catherine Dokey
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420 

Six Month Investigation Leads to Five Sentenced in Federal Court

            The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force comprised of agents from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police Department, Niceville Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted a six month investigation with the ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service, which lead to the arrest of five individuals responsible for illegal trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamine in Okaloosa County.  All the individuals involved were trafficking large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine into the local area from other states which include Louisiana and Texas . 

            Information was received from confidential informants about the interstate shipping and drug distribution in the local area.  Search warrants were executed on March 22, 2005, at the following locations: 316 Partin Drive in Niceville, 441 Racetrack Road , lot # 10, #11, #25, 632 N. Beal Parkway , 44 N.E. Laurie Drive , 64 N.E. Eglin Parkway , and 111 Third Avenue .

            The following individuals where indicted and convicted in United States District Court in the Northern District of Florida:

            Juan Manuel Pena, age 35 (05-05-1970) of 441 Racetrack Road , sentenced to 240 months, 10 years supervised release upon his release from prison.

            Dorothy Yolanda Backhoff, age 30 (03-25-1975) of 316 Partin Drive , sentenced to 120 months, 5 years supervised release upon her release from prison.

            Catrina Anne Rogers, age 28 (08-21-1977) of 441 Racetrack Road , sentenced to 78 months, 5 years supervised release upon her release from prison.

            Benjy Neil Allums, age 30 (05-08-1975) of 316 Partin Drive, sentenced to 240 months, 10 years supervised release upon his release from prison.

            Jesus Morales-Cervantes, age 32 (10-15-1972) of 111 SW Third Avenue , sentencing to be scheduled.

            More than 5 kilos of cocaine and methamphetamine were seized along with marijuana, drug paraphernalia, money believed to be proceeds from drug sales, a vehicle and a firearm.  The investigation is on-going and as more leads develop, more arrests are possible.

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