Walton County family members sentenced in drug trafficking investigation

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A DeFuniak Springs family has been sentenced by a federal judge for running a methamphetamine ring.

The husband, wife and son were convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Walton County.

On Monday, the sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

In March 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Walton County VICE/Narcotics Unit received two packages from California to addresses in Niceville and Mossy Head, according to officials.

Authorities said the packages each contained about five pounds of methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the intended recipients of the packages were Joshua Martinez and Philip Beck. Florence Beck helped the father-son duo.

Philip Beck, 48, was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison. His wife, Florence Beck, 47, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The couple's son, Joshua Martinez, 28, was sentenced to 21 1/2 years in prison.

In January 2023, Philip Beck was arrested by the DeFuniak Springs Police Department. Officers discovered approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine inside his vehicle. That charge was included in the federal sentence, officials said.