Chipley man arrested after getting suspect package

By: Deborah Buckhalter | Jackson County Floridan
Published: February 08, 2012

Authorities say a Chipley man who received a mysterious package at a truck stop in Jackson County, then dumped some of the contents while being chased by deputies, faces multiple charges after the incident of last Friday.

According to a press release from the Jackson County Drug Task Force, Kay Sharhone Dean was arrested on charges of hit and run, defacing a traffic control device, fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, tampering with evidence, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was also cited for littering and running a stop sign.

According to the release, the Cottondale Police Department, the task force, the U.S. Postal Service, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Chipley Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office worked together in an investigation that began when the postal service intercepted the package.

As the investigation progressed, authorities allowed it to be delivered as planned to a residence on Sapp Road. Officials say the resident there, unnamed in the press release, delivered it to Dean in the parking lot of the Love’s Truck Stop.

Once Dean received the package, the highway patrol and officers with the Cottondale Police Department tried to pull Dean over in the 1994 gold Ford Crown Victoria he was driving on Corbin Road in Jackson County near the Washington County line.

Dean sped up on the shoulder of the road, however, and struck a road sign before continuing on his way, authorities said.

The highway patrol attempted a special maneuver on Dean’s vehicle in an attempt to stop it, but Dean continued and traveled onto Jarous Road in Washington County, according to authorities. Allegedly speeding, he then turned west on to Alford Road. Throughout this portion of the chase, authorities said, he was throwing things from the vehicle, including the postal box, packaging and a vacuum-sealed bag that had about a quarter-pound of high-grade marijuana.

On Alford Road, near its intersection with Kent Road, Dean pulled to the shoulder and was arrested. The vehicle had traveled at more than 111 miles an hour at times during the chase, authorities said.

Dean was initially booked into the Washington County jail to await first appearance on the charges. The case investigation continues, and other arrests could be pending, authorities said.