Second person arrested for helping Spears and Dixon

On September 4^th, 2008, shortly after 7pm, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested a second suspect believed to be involved in aiding Ricky Dale Spears and David Chappel Dixon after their escape from the Santa Rosa County Jail. 

Anthony Barnhill, 51, was arrested at a residence located in the 9000 block of John Hamm Road after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest for the charge of Accessory After the Fact to Escape.

On August 30th, 2008 both of the escapee's, Ricky Dale Spears and David Chappel Dixon, were taken into custody after eluding Law Enforcement for thirty five days. At approximately 2238 hours on August 30^th, Dixon was interviewed by detectives after being read his rights and provided detectives with a sworn recorded statement. 

Dixon advised that after leaving the jail, he and Spears went to the residence of Anthony Barnhill, located in the 9000 block of John Hamm Road, Milton, Florida.  Anthony Barnhill assisted the escapee's by providing them with food, cigarettes and clothing.  Dixon and Spears spent the night in the wooded area on the northeast side of the residence at which Barnhill lives.  Dixon advised that Anthony Barnhill later drove the Dixon and Spears to the Munson area. Dixon gave detectives a description of the vehicle that took he and Spears to Munson.

Dixon also told detectives that Dwight Spears (Franklin Dwight Spears), Ricky Spears' father, provided Dixon and Spears with a cellular telephone which was used to contact friends and relatives while Dixon and Spears were eluding capture. This was confirmed through telephone records.

The investigation also revealed that Franklin Dwight Spears had purchased the cellular phone on 08/02/2008 at the Dollar General Store located at 8281 Highway 90, Milton, Florida.  The store surveillance camera shows Franklin "Dwight" Spears purchasing the phone while he is accompanied by Anthony Barnhill. 

Later in the investigation, phone records were obtained and show a phone call made from that cell phone to the residence of Anthony Barnhill. Franklin Dwight Spears was arrested on August 20, 2008 for his involvement in aiding Spears and Dixon.

On September 02, 2008 detectives responded to the residence at which Anthony Barnhill lives, which is located on John Hamm Road.  The owner of the residence agreed to allow detectives to check her property for possible evidence relating to the case.  Upon checking the property, detectives located the car in which Barnhill allegedly drove Spears and Dixon to Munson.  On the north east border of the property, just inside the wood line, detectives also located trash from MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) and other food products consistent with the account given by Dixon regarding their staying at that location the night after the escape.

On 09/02/2008, David Dixon was escorted by detectives to the Munson area.  David Dixon led detectives to the area of Cold Water Creek, just off of Camp Lowery Road. Dixon showed detectives where he and Spears had hidden a bag of clothing and food.  Further up Cold Water Creek, Dixon pointed out a pine tree to detectives. At the base of the pine tree, detectives located the cellular phone that was purchased by Franklin Dwight Spears and Anthony Barnhill.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into who helped Spears and Dixon after their escape.  Detectives anticipate more arrests. No further information is available at this time.  Further information will be released as the investigation continues.