Police Seek Whereabouts Of Sex Offender In Palm Bay
By Space Coast Daily // November 4, 2012
Felon Flees After Removing Tracking Device
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Police in Palm Bay are hunting the whereabouts of a registered sex offender on probation after he removed a GPS monitoring ankle bracelet used to track him and fled.
Palm Bay Police spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez said that Johnny Ray Morgan of Palm Bay, 51, was convicted in 1995 of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12.
Martinez said the crime occurred in Brevard County and following his release from prison, Morgan was required to register with the county in which he resided.
His last registered address is a homeless camp in a wooded area behind a Walgreens located at the intersection of Minton Road and Malabar Road SE in Palm Bay.
Just before noon Sunday, Morgan removed the GPS tracker which triggered an alarm to alert probation officers. They immediately contacted Palm Bay Police.
Officers searched the area where Morgan was last known to stay and found his campsite along with the tracking device.
It appears all of Morgan’s personal belongings are gone indicating he has fled the area.
Martinez said that Morgan is a white male, 5-foot-6 and weighing 172 pounds with light green eyes, glasses and salt and pepper colored hair that is balding on top.
He was last seen riding a blue mountain bike wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a black hat.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and can be eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 in this case.
