Police Blotter

OCSO investigates apparent drowning

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the apparent drowning of a tourist in the Gulf of Mexico near Pelican Beach Resort in Destin.

Deputies were called to the beach at 1002 East Highway 98 around 3:20 p.m. March 19.

Lifeguards were performing CPR on Ian Johnson, who had been pulled unconscious from the water after appearing to be in distress about 40 yards offshore.

The 44-year old visitor from Minnesota was later pronounced dead at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

An autopsy will be scheduled.

Man accused of trying to sell stolen art

A 51-year-old Destin man is accused of trying to sell a stolen piece of art on Craigslist for $2,000.

Several pieces of art were stolen on Feb. 21 from a home in Santa Rosa Beach, according to the arrest report. One of the pieces, a large framed autographed numbered 2013 Blue Dog silk screen print named “Sit in your own chair” by artist George Rodrigue, showed up on Craigslist on March 4.

The victim identified the print from the Craigslist ad and an undercover officer made contact with the seller, identified as David Alan Smith, the report said. Smith and a Fort Walton Beach detective met on March 5 in Fort Walton Beach.

Once the print was confirmed as the stolen piece, Smith was placed under arrest.

He is charged with dealing in stolen property.

His next scheduled court date is April 7.