Search warrant leads to drugs, firearms charges

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Walton Beach man and a woman are facing charges related to drugs and firearms after deputies arrived at their home to execute a search warrant, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Timothy Knox, 32, has been charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and distribution of marijuana, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said.

The woman, Shastela Gamble, has been charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence, among other charges, the OCSO said.

According to the OCSO, deputies were executing a narcotics search warrant on June 23 at a home on Crescent Circle near Fort Walton Beach when OCSO Special Investigations Section Narcotics Unit said they spotted Knox coming out of the home carrying a black bag.

Knox allegedly got into his car and accessed the rear driver’s side passenger compartment. Inside the car, investigators said they located a firearm and found the black bag which they say contained nearly 45 grams of crack cocaine and 11 grams of cocaine powder.

According to the OCSO, Knox’s room at the home revealed a safe with 27 grams of crack cocaine, 26 grams of cocaine powder, and approximately 507 grams of marijuana.

Investigators said Knox was on bond on a charge of trafficking in cocaine at the time of this arrest.

According to the OCSO, Gamble attempted to hide fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana in a toilet.

Deputies said they spotted Gamble coming out of the house with wet hands. A search of a hallway bathroom inside turned up four grams of fentanyl, six grams of crack cocaine, three grams of oxycodone, and seven grams of marijuana, the OCSO said.

In her room deputies said they found 67 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, two pistols, and a rifle.