Bribery won’t get you out of a DUI

Manatee Herald Staff Report

A 25-year-old Bradenton woman sequenced a chain reaction of criminal charges on Nov. 30 ranging from DUI to bribery, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say Loren Johnston sideswiped another vehicle at the Circle K located at 3304 53rd Ave. E., causing damage throughout the vehicle’s exterior and injury to the driver.

According to the arrest report, Johnston tried to flee the scene but was trapped in the parking lot by the victim’s vehicle.

The injured driver attempted to take Johnston’s keys out of her vehicle to keep her on scene until law enforcement arrived, at which time Troopers say Johnston began punching him.

FHP reports the entire incident was captured on video. The victim was able to push Johnston to the ground.

Law enforcement arrived and Johnston began spewing profanities at them, while claiming she was not sure what happened.

Troopers noted that during the interview attempt, Johnston was unsteady on her feet, smelled of alcohol and urinated herself while trying to speak to troopers.

According to FHP, Johnston offered the troopers $800 if they would let her go home once she was informed that the traffic accident was now a criminal investigation.

Once troopers decided to arrest Johnston, she resisted with violence, kicking one of the troopers and a Manatee County deputy.

Johnston was hobbled at that point and transported to the Manatee County jail where she continued to verbally abuse the troopers, telling them that she hopes they die and their children die.

The victim she had physically attacked at the Circle K was over the age of 65, adding an additional felony of battery on a person over the age of 65.

Johnston was booked into the jail on charges that include battery on an elderly person, DUI with damage to property and person, resisting arrest with violence, battery on an officer, bribery and threat with death or serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.

Johnston remains in custody on the charges that include a probation violation.

20-year-old Palmetto man implicated in shooting

A 20-year-old man was arrested on Nov. 29 at around 5:30 p.m. on a warrant for shooting into an occupied vehicle and possession of a firearm by a delinquent juvenile.

According to the warrant, Manatee County deputies responded to 1924 18th St. E. in Palmetto on Nov. 23 just after 5 p.m. in reference to a shooting.

Witnesses say a 16-year-old was targeted.

According to the sheriff’s office, the victim was driving when he noticed two males walking in the middle of the road near 25th Street East and U.S. 41.

As the victim approached, the two males went to either side of the street and as the victim passed, noticed he was being shot at, deputies said.

Deputies developed Christopher T. Walker Jr. as the suspect, who was identified by the victim. Further investigation revealed that Walker was arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle as a juvenile.

Adjudication of that case was withheld, but prohibits Walker from being in possession of a firearm until his 24th birthday.

Walker was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine.

He remains in custody on bonds totaling $5,500.

Thanksgiving dinner leads to brother shooting brother

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, a 20-year-old Bradenton man will face an attempted murder charge after being arrested on Nov. 24 just after 11:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of 19th Street East.

Deputies say they initially made contact with the suspect, Jahmari Mays who was shot in the arm and soon learned there was a second victim inside the residence.

There deputies found Mays’ brother who had been shot four times.

According to the arrest report, the brothers had argued when Mays brandished a firearm.

Deputies say that led to Mays opening fire on his brother and in the process accidentally shot himself in the arm.

Witnesses said the initial argument occurred after Mays began arguing with his brother’s girlfriend and had pushed her. The victim intervened, at which time the firearm was displayed.

Witnesses told deputies that Mays had received the gun that very morning and that it had been used in a homicide the night before in the same area.

The victim was transported to Blake Medical Center as a trauma alert. Mays was booked into the Manatee County jail on the attempted murder charge and remains in custody on a $100,000 bond.

She tried to do her ex a favor and it didn’t end well

A 39-year-old man in the Manatee County jail on related charges was additionally charged with more felonies on Nov. 30.

Deputies say Bobby Joe McAbee, who has an extensive criminal history, was recently released from prison. According to the arrest warrant, his ex-wife showed him some kindness by letting McAbee stay with her for a few days.

That led to McAbee demanding money from the victim who refused. The argument escalated to the point of McAbee grabbing her by the throat, displaying a knife and threatening her life.

The entire incident, which took place on Nov. 11, was witnessed by two young children. McAbee fled the residence in his mother’s car and was unable to be located until his recent arrest.

He remains in custody inside the Manatee County jail on charges that include domestic battery by strangulation, battery and aggravated assault.