In the heart of Bay County, a tense Code Magistrate Hearing unfolded on June 11, 2025, as officials grappled with ongoing violations linked to a local towing business. The case centered around Mr. Axon, a licensed recovery agent operating West Recovery from a property at 1234 Northeast Avenue. This location has been under scrutiny since 2016, when the Bay County Code Enforcement Board first identified Mr. Axon’s operations as illegal.

The hearing revealed a troubling history of non-compliance. In 2017, a circuit judge granted a permanent injunction against Mr. Axon, prohibiting him from running his commercial towing and vehicle storage business at the site. Despite this ruling, evidence presented during the hearing indicated that operations continued unabated, prompting further legal action from Bay County.

The assistant attorney for code enforcement detailed the steps taken to notify Mr. Axon of his violations, including sending certified notices of violation. However, there was confusion regarding the delivery of these notices, as no return receipts were received. This lack of communication has complicated the enforcement process.

In a striking revelation, it was noted that West Recovery reported over 300 repossessed vehicles to the Bay County Sheriff's Department between January 2020 and May 2025. Additionally, the sheriff's department had responded to over 40 calls related to complaints from the property, highlighting ongoing issues that have plagued the community.

The situation escalated in February 2022 when Mr. Axon was arrested for false imprisonment after an incident involving a repossessed vehicle. This incident underscored the contentious nature of his business practices and the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing the situation.

As the hearing progressed, photographs of the property were presented, showing little to no change since previous inspections. The presence of tow trucks and a refrigerated trailer on the property raised further concerns about compliance with local regulations.

The hearing concluded with a scheduled compliance hearing set for July 2025, leaving the community and officials awaiting a resolution to this long-standing issue. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in enforcing local laws and the ongoing struggle to maintain order in Bay County.