Cocky fugitive's social media challenge to sheriff backfires in spectacular fashion

A Florida man who was on the run has been apprehended after mocking the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Grady Judd through social media. His posts teased them for failing to capture him.

The 29-year-old, Aaron Donta Johnson, was wanted for breaching a condition of his pretrial release. Both the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeland Police Department highlighted his activity by sharing his series of Facebook posts.

In one of his posts directed at Judd’s office, Johnson wrote, “Ya’ll too busy fishing dats why yall didn’t catch me when I left my grandma’s house today. Should’ve waited a bit longer. Yall accepted da challenge right. #GradyCan’t FindMe #ComeAgainGrady.”

The posts, laden with poor grammar and bad spelling, appeared to be a dig towards Judd and his department for being too late to the scene. But that did not stop Judd and his team from responding to Johnson and taking on the challenge.

Aaron D. Johnson Mugshot

Aaron D. Johnson was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail in Florida. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Judd has become known for his no-nonsense tactics when it comes to stopping crime in Polk County. He’s also become infamous for making examples of criminals – Johnson was no different.

“You done messed up A-aron!” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said, referring to a hilarious and popular bit on the sketch comedy show, “Key & Peele.” “You forgot all the agencies here in Polk work together…………thanks LakelandPD for the find. #GotEm #TeamworkMakesTheDreamwork #PlayStupidGamesWinStupidPrizes #AaronRanButWeCaughtHimAnyway.”

Johnson has been in and out of the Polk County Jail several times since at least 2015, on charges including drug possession, driving on a suspended license, domestic assault, burglary, and written threat to kill or injure another person, according to jail records.

He now faces several charges, including violation of pretrial release conditions.

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