Former Washington County commissioner, son headed to prison

PANAMA CITY — A former Washington County commissioner and his son were sentenced to prison Wednesday for selling firearms to a convicted felon.

Federal Judge Richard Smoak sentenced the former commissioner, Ronnie B. Finch, and son Victor to six months in prison, three years probation and fined $3,000. The two defendants had signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in November after they allegedly sold firearms to a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Ronnie Finch agreed to plea guilty to knowingly selling a 12-gauge shotgun, two rifles, a 9mm pistol and a .22-caliber revolver to the felon. Victor also was charged in the indictment.

Both defendants could have faced up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and the possible forfeiture of their assets.

The incident began in April when the informant visited Ronnie B. Goods, a Chipley store owned by the Finches. The informant told the Finches that he wanted to purchase several guns but could not buy them from the store because of his criminal background, the court documents state.

However, instead of turning him away, the Finches sold the informant several guns over the next few weeks, both inside and outside of the store. Court documents say the informant paid $300 for the .22-caliber Ruger revolver, $150 for a .38-caliber revolver, one rifle for $225 and another for $125, and $125 for a 12-gauge shotgun.

Ronnie Finch later admitted to selling the guns during an interview with investigators.

They begin serving their sentence on Jan. 28.