PANAMA CITY — Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced Darrin Lee Carmichael on Monday to 20 years in prison for burglary and grand theft.
Assistant State Attorney Barbara Beasley took Carmichael, 28, of Panama City Beach, to trial Jan. 21 to show that he entered the residence of Robert Crutchfield the morning of Aug. 10. Carmichael took the keys to Crutchfield’s Ford F-150 and left after being confronted by the homeowners.
Later that day, Crutchfield saw Carmichael drive past his house in the truck. Crutchfield and a friend were able to follow the truck and call deputies to make the arrest. Carmichael was found guilty as charged of burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft auto.
Overstreet sentenced Carmichael to the maximum of 15 years in prison for the burglary, in which he will have to serve every day without the possibility of early release for good behavior, followed by five years in prison for stealing the truck.