A Florida man who was arrested in 2023 for stealing a truck full of alligators and crashing it into a gas station is now one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives for 2024. The man, identified as Randy Johnson, escaped from a federal prison in Georgia last week and is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Background
Johnson, 35, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June 2023 after pleading guilty to charges of theft, animal cruelty, and reckless endangerment. He admitted that he stole a truck from a wildlife park in Florida that contained 15 live alligators, some of them over 10 feet long.
He then drove the truck across several states, causing multiple accidents and injuries along the way. He was finally apprehended in Alabama after he crashed the truck into a gas station, setting it on fire and releasing the alligators into the wild.
Escape and Manhunt
According to the FBI, Johnson escaped from the Federal Correctional Institution in Jesup, Georgia, on January 24, 2024, by using a makeshift rope and a stolen guard uniform.
He then hijacked a car and drove away. The FBI believes that he may be heading back to Florida, where he has family and friends. The FBI has issued a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture. He is considered to be extremely dangerous and unpredictable, and may have access to firearms and explosives.
Conclusion
Johnson’s escape and manhunt have sparked a nationwide alert and a media frenzy. He has been dubbed as the “Florida Man” by the public, a term that refers to the bizarre and often criminal antics of some residents of the Sunshine State. The FBI urges anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts to call 911 or the nearest FBI office immediately. Do not approach him or attempt to apprehend him yourself, as he may be violent and hostile.