BLOUNTSTOWN, Fla. — A Marianna man has been sentenced to four years in prison after a jury found him guilty of selling methamphetamine hidden inside a bag of Chester’s Fries.
According to the Office of State Attorney for Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit, a Calhoun County jury found 35-year-old Royce Tracy Peaden Jr. guilty of Sale of Methamphetamine following a one-day trial Sept. 30.
Prosecutors said the six-person jury took less than 10 minutes to reach its verdict.
Circuit Court Judge Brandon Young sentenced Peaden to 48 months in prison, followed by 24 months of probation.
According to State Attorney Larry Basford’s office, evidence showed Peaden agreed to sell 5 grams of methamphetamine to a Calhoun County resident on June 6, 2025, and drove from Marianna to make the sale.
Investigators said Peaden approached the passenger side of another vehicle and was given $100. In exchange, prosecutors said he placed a bag of ranch-flavored Chester’s Fries on the passenger seat.
Investigators monitoring the transaction later checked the snack bag and found a plastic baggie containing 4.8 grams of methamphetamine, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Calhoun County Chief Prosecutor Joshua White presented testimony from a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office investigator, a witness to the sale and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab analyst.
Prosecutors also presented body camera video of the transaction, photographs and text messages as evidence during the trial.
Basford thanked Calhoun County Sheriff Michael Bryant and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office for their work investigating the case and gathering evidence that led to the conviction.
Image Source – Office of State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuith
Image Source – Office of State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuit
