Hunters argue in Conecuh; 2 jailed
Published 8:09 am Wednesday, February 18, 2015
A father and son from Wing are charged with a misdemeanor crime after they allegedly threatened and chased a hunter in the Conecuh National Forest.
Chief Deputy Mike Lambert with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Johnny R. Sexton, 39, and Joe V. Sexton, 65, turned themselves in Thursday. The two are charged with criminal coercion stemming from a Jan. 19 incident off Barney Road.
“The victim, who was from Florida, called 911 and reported that he had been in his tree climber, hunting in the Conecuh National Forest, and well away from any residence,” Lambert said. “He stated that he saw two men wearing orange hats and carrying firearms.
“The victim said the two started waving their hats and began using profanity about people from Florida coming and hunting in Alabama,” he said.
Lambert said the victim reported that when he exited the stand, the Sextons demanded to see his hunting license and driver’s license.
“That’s when he refused their repeated demands and said he would give them to the game warden,” Lambert said. “The Sextons then said they were going to take him into custody citizen’s arrest.
“When a discussion between the father and son broke about whether or not they could make a citizen’s arrest, the victim stated he noticed they were distracted and that’s when he fled into the woods, called 911 and hid until a deputy arrived,” Lambert said.
The two men were booked into the Escambia County Detention Center and released Thursday on a $4,000 bond each.