Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
On Thursday, Aug. 5, John Pippin was convicted of trafficking methamphetamine during his trial at the Madison County Courthouse. The illegal substance was discovered after Pippin was pulled over by Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Investigator Eddie Brannon for running a stop sign on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021.
After obtaining Pippin’s consent, Brannon released Riot, a drug-detecting canine, for a routine walk around Pippin’s truck. Riot alerted on several occasions, giving Brannon cause for a detailed search of the vehicle, to which Pippin also consented. Pippin’s passenger, Tiffany Henderson, exited the vehicle, and Brannon soon discovered over 55 grams of methamphetamine, with a street value of up to $1,000.
Pippin acknowledged the drugs were his, and he was placed under arrest and transported to the Madison County Jail. Henderson was questioned and released at the scene of the stop, the former Live Oak Gas building at the intersection of Harvey Greene Drive and SR 14. Brannon was assisted by MCSO Sergeant Rosenberg.
Defense Attorney Sonny Bishop argued that the bag containing the drugs was never fingerprinted to determine ownership or who may have handled it before it was located in Pippin’s glove box. Bishop also questioned whether the bag could have been tampered with during the several months it was held in storage.
Prosecuting Attorney Katy Land countered Bishop’s concerns with detailed explanations from Rosenberg and Brannon as to how the MCSO cares for items they collect as evidence. Kayla Kahre, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), also testified about the various procedures in place to protect evidence and to provide accurate testing of substances suspected to contain drugs. Kahre was involved with the testing of the meth, which was conducted in Jacksonville, Fla.
After closing statements from Bishop and Land, the jury deliberated quickly and returned with a guilty verdict of trafficking methamphetamine, an automatic verdict if possession of over 28 grams is proven.
Pippin’s sentencing was held on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Judge Melissa Olin presided over the trial. At the sentencing, Judge Olin determined that Pippen will serve the maximum 20 years in a correctional institution, with a seven year minimum. He was also charged with a $100,000 fine.