Man charged in Jefferson Co. Clerk of Court fraud case reportedly found, arrested after fleeing

MONTICELLO, Fla. (WCTV) - OCTOBER 2 UPDATE

Warren “Charles” Culp has been found and arrested in Bonifay, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, after allegedly fleeing the night of being released from jail September 21 on bond.

Culp was wanted out of Jefferson County for Scheme to Defraud and also made statements that he would make law enforcement kill him, according to Holmes County Sheriff’s Office’s incident report.

On Sept. 27, HCSO says they received information that Culp was staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Bonifay, Florida. HCSO deputies arrived to the hotel and located Culp’s car in the parking lot, according to the incident report.

A hotel staff member confirmed that Culp had just checked into a room, according to the report.

HCSO deputies say while waiting for backup, Culp had been observed peeking out of his room window several times.

Culp was taken into custody without incident, according to the report, after being observed walking out into the parking lot and looking into cars. At his request, Culp was allowed to call someone to tell them where his car was, according to the report, and his belongings such as his duffle bags and cell phones were taken from his room and secured inside of his car.

According to HCSO, Culp was transported to Holmes County Jail pending extradition to Jefferson County.

Culp is set to be transported to Jefferson County Tuesday, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

ORIGINAL STORY

One of three men accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Jefferson County funds has now fled, new court documents show.

On Tuesday, State Attorney Jack Campbell filed an emergency motion, asking a judge to revoke bond for Warren “Charles” Culp, Jr.

Culp was arrested September 19th on several fraud and grand theft charges. He made his first court appearance on the 21st. In that hearing, court records show that Culp testified that he had no passport and agreed to bond conditions, which include an order “not to leave Georgia or Florida.” Culp posted a $170,000 bond that day, and was released from jail.

However, court documents say Culp “fled the following night.”

In a publicly filed email, Culp’s bail bondsman told Campbell that Culp’s wife said he packed up a “sleeping bag, pillows, bathroom bag,” as well as other essential items, and left home. The bondsman reported that Culp “has never appeared to sign his bond contract and is now believed to be fleeing justice.”

Campbell’s motion also says Culp’s defense attorney, Ryan Davis, “has no knowledge” of where Culp is now.

If a judge approves the motion, Culp would have to remain in jail, if or when he’s caught.

He’s due back in court November 6th for an arraignment. His co-defendants, former Clerk of Court Kirk Reams and chief deputy clerk Justin “Tyler” McNeill, will also be arraigned that day.

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