Fugitive now in custody

A Malone man sought by law enforcement following a standoff April 7 was taken into custody Friday after he was pulled over by officers in Marianna for driving recklessly.
A news release from the Jackson County Drug Task Force said task force investigators observed a silver Pontiac heading east on U.S. Highway 90 Friday, near the intersection with Highway 71 North.
According to the news release, the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed, following other vehicles too closely, slamming on the brakes and swerving in and out of the eastbound lanes.
The vehicle was observed turning on to Highway 71 South, where the driver continued to drive erratically, according to the news release.
Officers pulled the vehicle over at Malloy Plaza beside Wal-Mart. The driver was recognized as Tony Russ, 25.
Russ had been on the run since April 7, after Jackson County sheriff’s deputies were called out to his residence in Malone.
A crew from Florida Public Utilities requested assistance after they went to the residence to turn off the power for nonpayment.
According to reports from the sheriff’s office, Russ allegedly began cursing and yelling at the FPU employees when the deputy arrived.
Russ also allegedly threatened to shoot the deputy with an AK-47 and went inside his home, where he continued to make threats.
Eventually, Russ’s father, Charles arrived on the scene and refused a request by deputies to leave. Charles Russ was eventually arrested and charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Tony Russ fled his house through the back door while his father was involved in the altercation with deputies.
According to the news release about Friday’s arrest, Tony Russ allegedly gave officers a false name after he was pulled over near Wal-Mart, but eventually admitted who he was.
Russ also told officers his driver’s license had been suspended.
Tony Russ was then arrested for felony driving while license suspended with knowledge, and resisting arrest without violence for attempting to hide his identity.
He could face additional charges of resisting arrest and assault on a law enforcement officer arising from the April 7 incident.