The Bay County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Fayette County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office last night, October 7, 2013, with information that two fugitives from justice could be on Panama City Beach. Ashley Baxley and convicted felon Joshua Christmas were wanted on warrants out of Fayette County for Grand Theft Auto. Authorities believed they were stealing motorcycles in Fayette County and cutting them up to sell the parts.
This morning at about 9:00 a.m., an investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division spotted the vehicle Baxley and Christmas were reportedly driving at a residence on Bonita Circle, Panama City Beach. With the assistance of the Panama City Beach Police, contact was made with Joshua Christmas in the home and he was taken into custody without incident. Christmas has been charged with Fugitive from Justice and a hold placed on him for extradition to Georgia.
Information was developed that Ashley Baxley was staying at the Origins Condominiums on Front Beach Road. Again with the assistance of the Panama City Beach Police, deputies and investigators knocked on the door of the condo. Baxley did not answer and, by the time the condominium manager opened the door, had broken through into an adjoining condo and hidden under a bed. Law enforcement located her and took her into custody.
A search of the condo turned up suspected stolen property, Hydrocodone, Xanax, marijuana, and several ounces of a mixture of meth and water, and drug paraphernalia. It is believed Baxley flushed approximately four one ounce bags of crystal meth (ICE) down the toilet before law enforcement could enter the room.
Baxley has had a hold placed on her for extradition to Georgia, and has been charged with Fugitive from Justice, Burglary, Resisting Arrest without Violence, Tampering with Evidence, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana less than 20 grams, Possession of Xanax (Alprazolam) with Intent to Distribute, and Trafficking in Hydrocodone.
Both were taken to the Bay County Jail and booked.