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UPDATED: Local fugitive captured in Louisiana

PANAMA CITY — A former Panama City Beach man accused of conspiring to murder two local judges was captured in Bossier City, La. on Thursday, according to authorities.

Joseph Russell Schmitt, 46, was arrested outside his room at the Horseshoe Casino Hotel about 7 p.m. by agents with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI, and Bossier City police officers.

After his arrest, Schmitt told authorities that he had explosive devices inside his hotel room and his vehicle parked outside the hotel, according to police. The hotel was evacuated and the Bossier City Fire Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene. No explosive devices were found. 

Schmitt had been trying to arrange the murders of Bay County Judge Allen Register and Washington County Judge Chris Patterson, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office received a tip earlier this month and began communicating with Schmitt through text messages and phone calls, in which Schmitt allegedly told an undercover investigator he would pay to have the judges abducted, tortured and killed.

Judge Register presided over an April domestic violence case involving Schmitt and his girlfriend, who lived together at Island Reserve Condominiums in Panama City Beach, according to court records. The case resulted in a domestic violence injunction, or restraining order, against Schmitt. His ex-girlfriend was relocated to a domestic violence shelter in another county, and also was an alleged target in Schmitt’s murder-for-hire plot.

Judge Patterson’s connection to Schmitt is unclear, BSCO Maj. Tommy Ford said. Both judges were informed of the threats and given personal protection through the investigation. They could not be reached for comment Friday.

Schmitt was on his way to Bay County when authorities caught him in Bossier City. He was coming from his 90-year-old mother’s home in Lewisville, Tex., and allegedly beat her and tried to smother her with a pillow before leaving. He faces charges in that incident, as well.

A psychiatrist at Emerald Coast Behavioral Center has filed a retraining order against Schmitt, according to Ford.

In June, while still in Bay County, Schmitt was ordered to undergo mental evaluations and counseling after being arrested twice for violating his domestic violence restraining order, according to court records.

The first arrest also included a burglary charge. During his second arrest, according to BCSO, Schmitt barricaded himself in his home and shot mortar-like fireworks at deputies. He has also been charged in the past with making a false 911 call.

Schmitt is being held in Bossier City Jail on a host of charges including solicitation to commit murder, aggravated stalking, and violation of a domestic violence injunction. His extradition to Florida is being arranged. 

An earlier version of this story is posted below:

 

PANAMA CITY — A Panama City Beach man accused of conspiracy to murder two local judges was captured in Bossier City, La., on Thursday, according to the Bossier City Police Department (BCPD).

Joseph Russell Schmitt, 46, was arrested outside his room at the Horseshoe Casino Hotel about 7 p.m. by agents with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI, and Bossier City Police officers. He also was wanted on aggravated stalking charges in St. Johns County, Fla.

After his arrested, Schmitt indicated to authorities he had explosive devices inside his hotel room and in his vehicle parked outside the hotel, according to BCPD. The Bossier City Fire Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene, but no explosive devices were found. 

Schmitt is being held in Bossier City Jail while his extradition to Florida is arranged. 

Further details on the case were not immediately available.

Check back later for more details


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