Area Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Meth Trafficking

Terrell Knox receives 20-year minimum mandatory sentence for drug crimes

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small pile of white powder and a few scattered blue pills against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic through the use of harsh, direct lighting.A recent crackdown on fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking in the region has led to major drug seizures and lengthy prison sentences for dealers.DeFuniak Springs Today

Terrell Knox, a Fort Walton Beach, Florida resident, was sentenced to a 20-year minimum mandatory prison term for trafficking in fentanyl and a concurrent 15-year minimum mandatory sentence for trafficking in methamphetamine. The charges stemmed from a 2024 investigation by the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the DeFuniak Springs Police Department that resulted in the seizure of over 6 pounds of meth, more than 800 fentanyl pills, and 82 grams of fentanyl powder.

Why it matters

The sentencing highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic and the dangerous combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the region. Law enforcement continues to target major drug traffickers in an effort to curb the flow of these deadly substances into local communities.

The details

In February 2024, investigators conducted two separate traffic stops that led to the arrests of Knox and two Alabama men, Stephen Jakevious Stackhouse and Jaquez Lane. During the stops, authorities seized over 2,700 grams of meth, 823 fentanyl pills, 82 grams of powdered fentanyl, and several firearms, including an AR-15 rifle that had been modified to fire fully automatic.

  • On February 7, 2024, Stackhouse and Lane were stopped and arrested in Gaskin, Florida.
  • Also on February 7, 2024, Knox was stopped and arrested in Miramar Beach, Florida.
  • On April 12, 2026, Knox was sentenced to a 20-year minimum mandatory prison term for fentanyl trafficking and a concurrent 15-year sentence for meth trafficking.

The players

Terrell Knox

A resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida who was sentenced to prison for drug trafficking crimes.

Stephen Jakevious Stackhouse

An Alabama man arrested in February 2024 for meth and fentanyl trafficking.

Jaquez Lane

An Alabama man arrested in February 2024 for meth and fentanyl trafficking.

Walton County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that conducted the drug trafficking investigations and made the arrests.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

The state law enforcement agency that assisted the Walton County Sheriff's Office in the drug trafficking investigations.

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What they’re saying

“Every one of these pills and drugs represents death and pain for families in Walton County. These arrests represent the high-caliber investigations conducted by our VICE/Narcotics Unit. And while we may not get everybody, we're going to continue to get anyone dealing this poison as fast as we can to prevent these drugs from hurting our communities.”

— Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Walton County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge's decision on whether to allow Terrell Knox out on bail is expected on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic and the dangerous combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the region, with law enforcement continuing to target major drug traffickers in an effort to curb the flow of these deadly substances into local communities.