Traffic stop leads to escape attempt

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

On Friday, June 21, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) officers conducted a traffic stop on W. Capps Highway, just west of Waukeenah Highway. While conducting the stop, officers obtained probable cause to search the vehicle, and the three occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit the vehicle and submit to a search.
One of the three occupants, Anthony Ivey, refused to allow the officer to conduct a pat-down search and began searching for an unidentified object in one of his pockets. Believing it to be a handgun, the officer attempted to arrest Ivey. Ivey then returned fire and was able to escape, fleeing the scene on foot.
JCSO and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) established a perimeter to locate Ivey. Jefferson Correctional Institute (JCI) and Wakulla Correctional Institute (WCI) responded with K-9 teams to begin tracking him, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) assisted with the search from the air via helicopter. The search continued throughout the night until late Saturday morning, when the JCI tracking team and deputies were able to locate and arrest Ivey.
According to a press release provided by the JCSO, Ivey gave up after a foot chase and was arrested at the scene. At the time of his arrest, he was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, trafficking in stolen property, possession of marijuana and resisting an officer with violence. Prior to his arrest, Ivey was out on bail for two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and two counts of unlawful confinement. His bail was revoked and, as of press time, he remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail.
The other two occupants of the car were also arrested. The driver, Josh Payne, was charged with trafficking in stolen property, possession of marijuana and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, with bail set at $3,500. Payne was released on bail on June 22.
The other passenger, Brezon Gillyard, was arrested and charged with trafficking in stolen property, possession of marijuana and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, with bail set at $3,500. Gillyard was also released on bail on June 22.
Marijuana and several firearms, including one that had been reported stolen, were recovered at the scene by law enforcement.