Arrest Of Richard Bailey – Fugitive From Justice

BAY COUNTY, FL – Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford announced on July 14th the arrest of Richard Bailey by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division. Bailey, age 55, was wanted in Georgia on 91 felony warrants — 88 for fraud and 3 for racketeering. Richard Bailey is also a registered sex offender and fugitive from justice.

Bailey was located in Bay County after a three-week investigation. The BCSO Warrants division coordinated with authorities in Georgia and conducted extensive surveillance before apprehending Bailey at a residence on Cedar Bluff Road in Bay County. 

When confronted at the residence on Cedar Bluff Road, Bailey refused commands to come out peacefully. Authorities were able to get three juveniles, and a woman identified as Brittany Addis, out of the residence before Bailey was taken into custody. A search warrant was executed at the residence on Cedar Bluff Road with assistance from the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Division. A firearm and illegal substances were recovered in the home. 

Both Bailey and Addis, age 36, were arrested and booked into the Bay County Jail. Bailey was charged with Sex Offender Violation--Failure to Register, Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Neglect of a Child Without Great Bodily Harm, Possession of a Firearm or Ammo by a Convicted Felon, and Fugitive From Justice. Addis was charged with Neglect of a Child Without Great Bodily Harm, Sex Offender Violation—Harbor or Assist a Sex Offender, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid.

The juveniles were turned over to the Department of Children and Families. Bailey is awaiting extradition to Georgia where he is charged with fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.2 million.