By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
Mike Haveard will face an Escambia County jury next week on distribution of drug charges, the first of multiple cases against the Brewton man.
Haveard, 52, was arrested in March after a special grand jury session charged him with four counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (OxyContin), four counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and four counts of criminal solicitation to commit theft of property first degree.
Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy said the first case against Haveard involves the distribution of drugs charges.
Charges against Haveard were brought about through an investigation conducted by members of the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force.
DTF prosecutor Todd Sterns will present the case in next week's trial, aided by Assistant District Attorney Reo Kirkland, Billy said.
Haveard is facing a variety of charges in coming months in addition to the original charges handed down by the grand jury in March.
Other charges against Haveard came in April when he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and bringing stolen property across state lines.
The initial indictments handed down in March against Haveard carried an $8 million cash bond. The April charges placed an additional $175,000 bond on Haveard, keeping him in the Escambia County Detention Center.
The cash bond was reduced to $700,000 by Circuit Judge Bert Rice following a two-day bond hearing. Circuit Judge David Jordan placed the additional bond on Haveard during an April 3 bond hearing on charges involving stolen property and possession of illegal drugs.
Haveard was released April 8 after friends and family came forward and signed the $875,000 bond. Just one week after his released, Haveard was back in the Escambia County Detention Center for having broken conditions of his bond. He has remained in the detention center since then.
Jerome Carter, a member of the Cochran Law Firm in Mobile, will defend Haveard with assistance from local attorney Danny White, Billy said.
White could not be reached for comment as of press time.