Northwest Florida family found guilty of drug trafficking: USDOJ

Olivia Wilson
·1 min read

Editors note: WKRG News 5 has updated this story to provide more details about how the packages were identified.

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — A Northwest Florida family was found guilty after helping each other obtain methamphetamine and intending to distribute it, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

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The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody, announced that 47-year-old Philip Beck, 46-year-old Florence Beck, and Philip Beck’s 27-year-old son Joshua Martinez were found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Florence Beck, Joshua Martinez, Phil Beck mugshots with the WKRG.com logo
Florence Beck, Joshua Martinez, Phil Beck were found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. (Courtesy: Walton County Sheriff’s Office)

According to reports, on Jan. 16, 2023, the DeFuniak Springs Police Department stopped a Ram truck driven by Philip Beck and discovered approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine.

On March 10, 2023, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted two packages mailed from California to addresses in Niceville and DeFuniak Springs. According to a press release, Walton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Jax” alerted to the packages that contained two protein powder containers with a total of 10 pounds of methamphetamine inside.

Walton County Sheriff's Office K9, Jett, lying between two protein powder containers. There are bags filled with methamphetamine lying on the floor in the foreground of the photo.
Walton County Sheriff's Office K9, Jett, lying between two protein powder containers. There are bags filled with methamphetamine lying on the floor in the foreground of the photo.

Investigators determined that the packages were intended for Philip Beck and Joshua Martinez and that Florence Beck was helping them.

Sentencing for the family is set for May 30, 2024, according to the release. The sentencing is set to happen at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

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Philip Beck and Florence Beck are facing minimum mandatory sentences of 10 years in federal prison. Due to prior convictions, Joshua Martinez faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years. The maximum sentence is life in prison, according to the release.

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