By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A Flomaton man, a fugitive from a Florida manslaughter warrant, was captured Valentine’s Day when an Atmore Police Department investigator spotted the suspect walking down a street in the city’s northwestern sector.
According to a press release issued by APD Chief Chuck Brooks, the city detective spotted Timothy Lavon Johnson, 34, walking along Howard Street around 3:30 p.m., February 14.
APD had been notified by Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office officials that Johnson was wanted in connection with a homicide that occurred in their jurisdiction and that he could possibly be in the Atmore area.
According to Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office reports, Johnson is charged in the death of Chris Hunter, a 60-year-old Century, Fla. man who died July 29, 2021, 10 days after being found — with massive head injuries — outside Odom’s Bar in Century.
Johnson was taken into custody without incident. He was processed into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center as a fugitive from justice, then released to Florida authorities February 18.
The Flomaton man remained in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail early Tuesday, February 22, under a $500,000 bond. He is charged with one count of “homicide-negligent manslaughter.”
Negligent manslaughter, a second-degree felony under Florida law, is defined as “the killing of another person through gross negligence.” A person convicted of such a crime faces 15 years in prison, 15 more years on probation and a fine of up to $10,000.