Retiring K-9 Merlin’s last stop ends in 3 drug arrests near Fort Walton Beach
Reported Oct 14, 2026 · FORT WALTON BEACH AREA · Okaloosa County
An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Merlin ended his career with a traffic stop that led to three drug arrests, the sheriff’s office says.
Deputy Matt Sumner stopped a car for multiple driving violations Wednesday near Eglin Parkway and Waterway Lane, just outside Fort Walton Beach, and deployed K-9 Merlin, according to WJHG.
During a search, deputies say they found suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia.
WJHG named the three Santa Rosa Beach residents arrested as Adrienne Harrington, 56, Vincent Campisi, 62, and Jessica Chalfant, 37. Okaloosa County jail records for those names and ages show all three were booked early Wednesday, Oct. 14, between 3:34 and 3:39 a.m., under the same case number.
The jail lists these charges. Harrington: possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession or use of drug equipment, bond $4,000. Campisi: possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, bond $1,000. Chalfant: possession or use of drug equipment, plus an order revoking bond on a separate case, bond $1,000.
The sheriff’s office says the stop wraps up a long, successful run for Merlin and his handler. Anyone arrested is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What police say vs. what is not yet known
| POLICE SAY | K-9 Merlin was deployed during a traffic stop near Eglin Parkway and Waterway Lane on Wednesday. Deputies found suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and paraphernalia, and three people were arrested. The charges listed above come from the Okaloosa County jail record. The stop was Merlin’s final shift before retirement. |
| NOT YET KNOWN | Which drug was tied to which person, what was found on each, and Merlin’s retirement date have not been published. The names come from WJHG, which cites the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. We matched them to jail records by name, age and booking time, and have not seen the sheriff’s office’s own release. |
Source: Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by WJHG (Oct. 15). The map shows the approximate area of the stop, not a specific vehicle or person.
What we know
- Reported: Wed Oct 14, 2026
- Location: Eglin Parkway at Waterway Lane, near Fort Walton Beach
- Community: FORT WALTON BEACH
- Status: Three arrested; charges per Okaloosa County jail records (arrests are allegations)
Follow live scanner coverage across Okaloosa County, updated throughout the day.
Press report, mapped by Emerald Coast Bookings.