OCALA, Fla. (TCD) — Two people have been arrested after allegedly strangling a man, fatally shooting him, and leaving his body on the side of the road with his underwear and shorts pulled down to his ankles last year.
According to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, shortly after 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 7600 block of Northwest 77th Terrace after a man found what he thought was a hog but later realized was a human body.
Deputies found the deceased victim, later identified as Wayne Barlow, approximately 6 feet from the road. He was wearing a tank top, and his shorts and underwear were pulled down, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, deputies found the victim in a “prone position, wedged between a tree and vines.”
Authorities noticed blood on the victim’s head, as well as lacerations and abrasions to his arms, legs, and torso. Barlow’s wallet was recovered at the scene. The Fifth District Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the victim had been strangled and beaten, and he died of a gunshot wound to the head.
According to the arrest affidavit, investigators spoke with Barlow’s roommate, who said the victim planned to meet with a woman but became upset because his vehicle had been stolen.
On June 28, 2023, deputies reportedly located the victim’s gray 2018 Hyundai Sonata and attempted a traffic stop near South Pine Avenue and Southeast 31st Street. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued. Deputies eventually found the vehicle abandoned and began searching the area on foot.
The sheriff’s office found Michael Montgomery Jr. hiding in water around 25 minutes into their search. Investigators reportedly found the key fob to the victim’s vehicle in his possession.
Shortly after, deputies also located Jessica Long hiding in 7-foot-deep water near a tree.
Authorities initially arrested Montgomery for fleeing or attempt to eluding law enforcement, as well as a probation violation. According to the arrest affidavit, Long had an active arrest warrant for grand theft auto, and officials took her into custody.
Both Montgomery and Long were brought into the sheriff’s office for questioning with regard to Barlow’s death.
Long told investigators the victim allowed her to borrow the vehicle and paid her to drive him around, the affidavit said. However, the sheriff’s office noted Long was “evasive with her answers and would not provide a consistent statement of what she did on the day of the victim’s death.”
According to the affidavit, Montgomery told deputies Long had sex with the victim for money, and she said he would leave bruises and other injuries on her.
Long reportedly told Montgomery she “needed the victim’s car to ‘run away’ because people have been trying to kill her.”
Long allegedly arranged to meet the victim for sex and asked Montgomery to help her steal his car. Montgomery mentioned another suspect, Terrance “Meaty” Barnes, who allegedly went with the two.
According to the affidavit, Montgomery said “things did not go according to plan.”
Barlow allegedly attacked Long after realizing they were going to steal his car. Barnes and Montgomery reportedly planned to rob Barlow while Long had sex with him. Montgomery allegedly punched the victim and held him down when Barnes shot a firearm, striking Barlow. Montgomery said the victim subsequently went “stiff,” according to the affidavit.
Afterward, Long allegedly told Barnes to dispose of the gun. There was reportedly blood all over Montgomery. They all planned to go to a store to buy materials to clean the victim’s car, including bleach. Montgomery reportedly said Barnes cleaned the car, but there was still blood on the windows.
During an interview, Barnes denied involvement in Barlow’s death, the affidavit said. However, he reportedly admitted to helping clean the vehicle after the crime. He told investigators he became upset with Montgomery and Long during the incident because he was afraid he’d be considered an “accessory” in the crime.
On Feb. 21, the sheriff’s office announced the arrest of Long and Montgomery on charges of homicide –– murder while engaged in a robbery. They remain held in the Marion County Jail without bond.
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