Ammons found; Spears is arrested

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.”