Leah Rain Ammons, 14, Missing [FOUND SAFE] Milton, FL

[Faith]

Missing/Endangered Juvenile

Last Updated: Mon, April 21, 2008 - 8:03 pm
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office says they are looking for a missing juvenile who is believed to be with a man that has an extensive criminal history.
Leah Rain Ammons, 14 years old, is believed to be with 43 year old, Ricky Dale Spears of Milton.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/missing-2.jpg

According to the Sheriff's Office, Spears is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history including armed robbery, burglary and narcotics violations.
Spears has a suspended driver’s license, but has been known to drive a 1992 gold four door Buick, with a Florida Tag of I-4-0-V-U-L.

Ammon's was reportedly picked up by Spears, from an all night roller skate party in Milton late Friday night (4/18/08).

From there, it is believed they went to Spears’ residence in Munson.
On Saturday deputies went to Spears’ residence to try and locate Ammon's but it is believed Ammons and Spears fled into the woods and were able to evade law enforcement.

The Sheriff's Office says there is an active warrant for Spears for Interference of Custody, which is a third degree felony.
Other charges may be pending against Spears.

Spears is described as a white male, about 5'10" in height, 160lbs., has brown hair and brown eyes and is a known, non-family acquaintance of Ammons.
His last known address is on the 13000 block of Munson Highway

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is considering Leah Ammons missing and endangered.

Anyone with information concerning the location of Ammons or Spears is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP.

http://www.wkrg.com/news/article/missing_endangered_juvenile/13053/

[Faith]

Authorities Looking for Missing Teenage Girl

(SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla.) April 21 -- Florida Panhandle law enforcement officials are looking for a teenage girl they believe may be with a Milton man who has an extensive criminal history.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office says 14-year-old Leah Rain Ammons may be in danger if she is in the company of Ricky Dale Spears. The 43-year-old convicted felon's criminal record includes such incidents as armed robbery, burgalry and narcotics violations.

Law officers say Spears driver’s license is suspended, but has been known to drive a 1992 gold four-door Buick automobile with a Florida Tag # I40-VUL. Ammons was reportedly picked up by Spears, who is a known, non-family acquaintance of Ammons, from an all night roller skate party in Milton late Friday night, April 18, 2008.

From there, authorities believe Spears and Ammons went to Spears’ residence in Munson. The following day, deputies went to Spears’ residence in an effort to locate the teenaged girl, but it is believed that Ammons and Spears both fled into the woods and were able to evade law enforcement.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office says there is currently an active arrest warrant for Spears on a charge of Interference of Custody, which is a third degree felony. Deputies say there may be other charges pending against Spears.

Anyone with information concerning the location of Leah Rain Ammons or Ricky Dale Spears is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.

http://www.nbc15online.com (http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d011d664-ebce-4455-8761-659b37b46b31)

[Faith]

Santa Rosa deputies searching for at-risk teenager (with MUGS)
Staff reports
Monday April 21st, 2008

MILTON — Lawmen want you to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers, (850) 437-7867, if you possess information about “missing/endangered” 14-year-old Leah Rain Ammons.

Ammons was picked up by convicted felon Ricky D. Spears, 43, on Friday from an all-night roller skate party in Milton, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. Spears was described as a “known, non-family acquaintance of Ammons.”

Though he has had his driver’s license suspended, Spears sometimes drives a gold-color, 1992 four-door Buick with Florida tag 140 VUL, the press release continued. His last known address was in the 13000 block of Munson Highway.

He is wanted on a warrant of interference of custody.

Spears is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and eyes.

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/13837

[Faith]

I cannot believe there are no updates on Leah Rain Ammons. The last news articles are the 21st, the date I posted. I hope Leah is safe.

[wheezer]

SANTA ROSA CO., Fla. -- Just below the Alabama state line, near Munson, Florida there are dozens of people looking for a missing girl. "She's 14-years-old up here with a 43-year-old and I guess we just don't have enough people up here to cover the area," said Mark Ammons.

Ammons is the father of the missing girl, 14-year-old Leah Rain Ammons. She's been missing for ten days and he believes she ran off with his cousin, 43-year-old Ricky Spears.

"For the past week, family members have been searching these woods near Munson Highway, but at this point they say the two could be anywhere," said Ammons. "We thought they might have gotten out of here, as big of an area this is and with as many people that have been out here - for somebody to stop and pick somebody up and get them away from up here -- like I said there's only one way in and one way out," he added.

The family says the two are likely on foot because they've found several campsites over the past few days. However, these backwoods are literally the backyard for spears.

"Oh definitely, Ricky Spears -- this is his home, it's going to be hard to find him without a lot of help, if we don't run him out of the woods and get up on him," Ammons said.

Despite help from Sheriff's Deputies, Ammons says the unknown is starting to wear on the family and they just want her back. "Most definitely, she's been gone 10 days and she's never run away and our cousin we know is not a good person, we know he's not a good person," said Ammons.

For the family that makes finding the two even more important

The sheriff's office says Spears has an active warrant for interference of custody. If you have any information about the search, you're asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.

http://www.myfoxgulfcoast.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6415244&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[Roamer]

Sure wish they would be found soon. Sounds like she's really in danger with this guy.

Why wasn't there an Amber Alert? She's 14 and he's a felon.

[Faith]

the two are likely on foot

Dogs should be brought in to search for this girl. I am beside myself on this case. Very little media attention is upsetting. :sad0119:

[Faith]

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll116/helpfindthemissing/leah.jpg

Leah's Myspace

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=283870992

[Faith]

Leah's friend said, why in the freak are you on the news ?
where are you leah ? im worried about you !

[Grande]

Santa Rosa teen still missing

Deputies in Santa Rosa County continue seeking information about a 14-year-old girl who has been missing for 10 days.

After a four-hour hunt in the Munson area Monday, Santa Rosa County deputies suspended the search for 14-year-old Leah Ammons, who has been missing since April 18, her family reported.

Monday’s search — which used six K-9 units, a helicopter and several deputies — was the fourth conducted for Leah since she was reported missing, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Scott Haines said.

She was last seen leaving for a Milton skating rink, and investigators believe she is traveling with Ricky Spears, 43, her uncle by marriage.

Haines said the Sheriff’s Office would use all resources available to find Leah when investigators receive another tip about her whereabouts.

Haines said Spears has a warrant for his arrest on charges of kidnapping/interfering with the custody of a child.

Anyone with information concerning Ammons or Spears is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080430/NEWS01/80430009

[Grande]

http://i29.tinypic.com/11jqlnq.jpg

[Grande]

06/07/1982 robb. No Gun/ddly.wpn 06/20/1984 Escambia 8203448 4y 0m 0d

11/03/1983 burg/dwell/occup.convey 12/07/1984 Santa Rosa 8300485 3y 0m 0d

10/11/1986 marijuana-producing 03/11/1987 Santa Rosa 8600646 2y 0m 0d

10/11/1986 poss.firearm By Felon 03/11/1987 Santa Rosa 8600646 2y 0m 0d

10/11/1986 threatens To Use Any Firearm 03/11/1987 Santa Rosa 8600646 2y 0m 0d

12/19/2005 s/m/d Meth 05/19/2006 Santa Rosa 0600118 2y 0m 0d

12/19/2005 poss/dist.chem.to Mfg.sub 05/19/2006 Santa Rosa 0600118 2y 0m 0d

02/01/2006 intimidate/force Witness 05/19/2006 Santa Rosa 0600398 2y 0m 0d

02/01/2006 intimidate/force Witness(solicit. In Criminal Act)
05/19/2006 Santa Rosa 0600398 2y 0m 0d

[Faith]

Thanks Grande, gosh what a line of charges. This child needs to be found. I pray she is safe. :1222423:

[AU_Grad]

Search for Santa Rosa County teen continues

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Florida Freedom Newspapers
MILTON

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputies are still searching for Leah Rain Ammons, 14 and missing since April 18.

She is believed to be with a Milton man, Ricky Spears, 43, who has an extensive criminal history including armed robbery, burglary and narcotics violations.

Ammons and Spears are believed to be hiding in the woods off Munson Highway, across the road from the Spears’ residence.

Ammons’ family has been camping on site for the last several days and her father, Mark Ammons, has actually trekked through the thickly wooded area in search of his daughter, who he fears is in serious peril.

The juvenile was reportedly picked up by Spears from an all night roller skate party in Milton 12 days ago.

Spears and Ammons allegedly went to Spears’ residence in Munson and on the following day, law enforcement went to Spears’ residence in the 13000 block of Munson Highway in an attempt to locate the girl. Ammons and Spears fled into the woods and were able to evade law enforcement.

Ammons’ step-father Mike Shaw says his step-daughter is a good girl.

“She is in ROTC and she is not a bad kid. I just want everyone to know that she isn’t a troublemaker or anything like that, she has just been influenced by a bad person," he said.

Sgt. Scott Haines of the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Department says law enforcement is doing all they can at this time.

“We want to find Ammons as much as her family does. Unfortunately these woods are very dense and even if he [Spears] was five feet away from us, in these woods with all the underbrush and growth, we probably wouldn’t be able to see him,” he says.

“We will continue working off the leads we get on this case,” says Haines.

http://www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?id=1782

[davidandjeni]

Please go to www.srpressgazette.com and see breaking news story. I will continue updates as new developments occur. I have been in constant contact with the family and live a few miles from where she is supposed to be.

[Faith]

Please go to www.srpressgazette.com and see breaking news story. I will continue updates as new developments occur. I have been in constant contact with the family and live a few miles from where she is supposed to be.

Welcome, davidandjeni, thank you for the updated information. Please keep us updated.

[Faith]

http://images.onset.freedom.com/srpgazette/k03pgf-ammonsfamily.jpg
Leah Rain Ammons’ family have set up a camp across from the area they believe Ammons and Ricky Spears are camping out in until she is found. Ammons has been missing since April 18 and law enforcement conducted a search of a wooded area off Munson Hi

[Faith]

Family still searching for teen; fire burns nearby
Jeni Senter | Florida Freedom Newspapers
Thursday May 1st, 2008
Comment on this Story | Read Comments

Fire blazed off Munson Highway on Tuesday, near the dense woods where Santa Rosa County lawmen say a missing teen may be camped.

Leah Rain Ammons, 14, has been missing for 16 days — since April 18. She is believed to be with a 43-year-old Milton man, Ricky Spears, who has an extensive criminal history, including armed robbery, burglary and narcotics violations.

Ammons and Spears are believed to be hiding together in the woods across the road from Spears' residence.

Firefighters on Tuesday responded to the wildfire with bulldozers and extinguished it. Fire Investigator Donna Faulkner said it may be related to Ammons' case.

“I am actively investigating the cause of the fire and I am looking at every possibility to determine the cause of the fire,” Faulkner said.

But Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Haines cited lack of evidence.

“We didn’t even go out there," he said. "There is nothing to connect the two cases."

“We have no reason to believe the fire is linked to the missing persons case."

Leah's father, Mark Ammons, said he hoped his daughter was safe and that the bulldozed fire site would help searchers find her. Meanwhile, Leah's grandmother Betty Stewart said the fire was "more than likely related to the situation with my granddaughter.”

“She isn’t just a missing person; she is a 14-year-old child, in a sexual relationship with and in the custody of a 43-year-old convicted felon — a man who is the father of her ex-boyfriend,” Stewart said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also is investigating Ammons' disappearance. The investigation is ongoing, but Haines said there was no update on further search efforts.

Leah Ammons’ page on MySpace.com is titled "I love someone I am not supposed to love." She last logged in to her account on the night she went missing and said her mood was "stressed."

Anyone with information concerning Ammons or Spears may contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP.
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/14120

[Faith]

OHhhhhh Thank God~!!

Ammons found; Spears is arrested
2008-05-06 11:47:00
Jeni Senter

http://images.onset.freedom.com/srpgazette/k0get0-spears.jpg

The convicted felon who has been hiding in the woods with a 14-year-old missing girl left his hideout in the woods off Munson highway long enough to give his son a serious head injury on Saturday evening. This sparked a 24 hour per day search beginning on Monday resulting in the suspected kidnapper’s arrest at about 10:30 Monday night.


K9 units tracked Ricky Spears, 43, and he was found hiding beneath Ammons’ grandmother’s house on Munson Highway after an extensive search ordered on Monday says Sheriff’s office spokesman Scott Haines.

Leah Ammons, 14, was also found by Sheriff’s Deputies. She was also hiding under the house with Spears and waited for his permission before coming out.


Ammons had been missing since April 18 when Spears is reported to have picked her up from an all-night skate party at a Milton skating rink.
Ammons was taken to a local hospital to be checked by medical personnel. Spears was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. He was later taken to a local hospital after he complained of unconfirmed injuries. Spears is currently being held at the jail without bond.


Late Saturday evening, the son of Spears, Brandyn Spears 17, was taken to Baptist Hospital by Life flight after an altercation with Spears.


Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to 13025 Munson Highway, Milton, in regard to a report of an aggravated battery. Ambulances responded, but due to the severity of the injuries sustained, Life flight was called to transport the younger Spears to the hospital.


Responding deputies and investigators were told that Spears struck Brandyn twice in the back of the head with a pipe wrench. Deputies responded with helicopters, foot patrol, and K-9’s to search the area with no success.


Brandyn told deputies he went to an unoccupied trailer located on the property of 13025 Munson Highway. He said he was in the trailer looking at some old DVD’s located on the counter when he heard a noise coming from one of the back rooms. Brandyn stated he then walked back toward the noise. Brandyn said that Ricky appeared from around the corner.


Brandyn said he saw Ammons, behind Spears. Spears was directing Ammons to stay behind him and to not go towards Brandyn.


An altercation ensued between the elder Spears and Brandyn. As Brandyn attempted to convince his father to allow Ammons go home with him, the argument progressed and Spears threatened to kill Brandyn.


Spears pulled out a knife and stabbed at Brandyn. A struggle ensued, and Brandyn was able to get the knife away from his father.


Brandyn told deputies Ammons appeared frightened. Brandyn grabbed Ammons by the shirt and told her she was going home today. Brandyn said he told Ammons her family was worried about her. Ammons then stepped back with Brandyn.


At this time, Spears allegedly made threats towards Ammons. Spears then grabbed a pipe wrench and struck Brandyn on the back of his head, causing him to lose his balance. Brandyn said Spears hit him harder on the back of the head a second time.


Spears then fled back into the woods with Ammons and remained at large until his arrest Monday night.


Due to the incident, additional charges of Assault with a deadly weapon, battery while using a deadly weapon, and kidnapping were filed on Spears.


A concentrated search was initiated in the wooded area off Munson Highway on Monday in response to the incident between Spears and his son. Law enforcement searched for the suspect using air patrol, foot patrol, 4 wheelers, four K-9 teams, and other methods.


Sgt. Scott Haines of Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office previously said the search effort would continue 24 hours a day until Spears and Ammons were located.


According to the Ammons family, Brandyn Spears had been providing Ammons and Spears with food and other supplies.


Haines would not comment on whether investigators believe he was aiding his father.


Members of the Ammons family informed the Press Gazette Brandyn Spears is still at Baptist Hospital at this time and “he had a pretty big hole in the back of his head.”

http://www.srpressgazette.com/news/woods_3616___article.html/hideout_left.html

[annalyzer]

Inmates still on the loose due to 'design flaw' in jail

July 28, 2008 - 3:17 PM

MILTON - One man imprisoned for kidnapping a minor and aggravated battery and another in custody for armed robbery and assault are still on the loose after they squeezed through a 12-inch-by-12-inch opening at the Santa Rosa County Jail Saturday night.
The opening led the men through another narrow area, then up to the roof. Investigators suspect the men were probably picked up not far from the jail.

Ricky Dale Spears, 43, and David Chapell Dixon, 20, were not cellmates, said Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Sgt. Scott Haines. They did, however, share a common pod.

(more at link)
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/jail-9742-santa-through.html

[annalyzer]

Inmate Pleads Guilty to Escape

http://www.wkrg.com/img-240/media/news3/10-08-2008_ricky_spears.jpg

Last Updated: Wed, October 08, 2008 - 11:17 am

MILTON, Fla. (AP) - One of two men who escaped from the Santa
Rosa County Jail has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against
others involved in the jail break.
David Dixon of Pace, also pleaded guilty Tuesday to another
attempted escape charge, a robbery and a violation of probation
charge. Dixon tried to escape from jail before the July escape and
was unsuccessful.
Dixon will be sentenced Dec. 2.

Authorities say Dixon and Ricky Spears escaped from jail in July
by squeezing through a 12-inch square opening that led to an area
housing water pipes. They allegedly reached the jail's roof and
dropped to the ground. They were arrested them on Aug. 30.
At least two other people were arrested in connection to the
escape.

http://www.wkrg.com/crime/article/inmate_pleads_guilty_to_escape/19784/