WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — An Uber driver from Crestview is facing felony drug charges in Walton County after allegedly offering to sell hallucinogenic mushrooms and LSD to riders in his vehicle who were undercover narcotics investigators visiting Walton County for a conference.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has charged John Alcott, 52, of Crestview, with two counts of selling a hallucinogen (mushrooms and LSD), trafficking in LSD, possession of a hallucinogen with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of using a two-way communication device in the commission of a felony.
According to the WCSO, it happened like this:
In August 2023, Walton County held the Florida Narcotics Officers’ Association Annual Conference in Miramar Beach.
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) investigators visiting Walton County for the conference said they requested an Uber to take them to dinner.
The Uber, driven by Mr Alcott, reportedly smelled of marijuana when the CCSO detectives got in the vehicle. When they began chatting with Alcott, he allegedly told them he had Psilocybin mushrooms for sale and opened his glove compartment, reportedly revealing a large bag of mushrooms to which the detectives said they declined.
The CCSO investigators contacted WCSO VICE/Narcotics investigators, who also attended the conference. They planned to conduct an undercover purchase from Mr Alcott the following day.
During the buy, Alcott allegedly sold the CCSO investigators 134 grams of Psilocybin mushrooms, 10 Psilocybin mushroom capsules, and 12 doses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) for $1,000. During the transaction, Mr Alcott reportedly told detectives he would also be willing to mail a supply to them if they desired.
According to the WCSO, the CCSO detectives remained in contact with Alcott over the next several months. An investigation reportedly revealed Mr Alcott’s Uber services took him from Destin to Panama City Beach. They said they told Alcott they would be coming back to the Miramar Beach area for a vacation in February and would want to purchase more mushrooms and LSD.
On February 21, WCSO VICE/Narcotics investigators had the undercover CCSO detective reach out to Mr Alcott to tell him they were in the area and reportedly organized a buy for more than a quarter pound of mushrooms and 200 doses of LSD in exchange for $5,000.
The WCSO said WCSO Narcotics investigators, investigators with the Crestview Police Department, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office set up surveillance on Alcott’s residence in Crestview.
The WCSO said Mr Alcott was observed leaving his residence en route to meet the undercover CCSO detective.
When Alcott neared the meeting, a WCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop. Mr Alcott was arrested for warrants stemming from the first undercover purchase.
WCSO K9 “Kenny” was called in to assist and reportedly alerted on the vehicle. A search of Alcott’s car resulted in the recovery of the mushrooms and LSD intended for sale to the undercover detective, according to the WCSO.
“While these types of cases aren’t the primary focus of our VICE/Narcotics investigations, this one kind of came to us,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson.
“He obviously makes it a habit to sell while driving an Uber, and that’s pretty alarming considering how teenagers and young adults frequently use driving services in the area.”
Mr Alcott was arrested and booked into the Walton County Jail. He was issued a $15,000 bond and released the following day.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Crestview Police for assisting in the investigation.
