New charges may lead to prison stay

A Flomaton man, whose current address is listed as 'homeless' was arrested early Tuesday morning on multiple charges after being accused of confronting a Flomaton Police Office with a knife and may now face 60 months in prison on a violation of probation charge.

Emanuel Rabun Bethea, 35, was charged with resisting arrest, escape III, disorderly conduct, menacing and criminal trespassing.

Flomaton police were dispatched to the Circle K convenience store on Sidney Manning Boulevard about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a suspicious person. Officer John Pittman arrived and made contact with Bethea in the restroom.

According to Flomaton Police Chief Johnny Wilson, Bethea was asked by the store manager to leave the store before police were called.

Reports state when Officer Pittman approached Bethea, Bethea refused all commands and turned toward the officer with an open knife and stated 'He's not leaving'.

Reports noted that then Officer Pittman drew his duty weapon and gave Bethea loud commands to get on the ground and drop the knife. Pittman was able to place handcuffs on Bethea after several minutes inside the small bathroom.

Reports note Bethea was escorted out of the store and continued to struggle as Pittman was attempting to place him inside the patrol car.

Reports note Bethea was able to break free from Pittman, and while still being handcuffed, fled and ran across the parking lot and across Sidney Manning Boulevard.

Pittman pursed Bethea and was able to take him into custody at a nearby residence with the assistance of deputies from Escambia County, Fla.

Bethea was then transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. He was scheduled for a bond hearing on the new charges Wednesday afternoon.

However, District Attorney Steve Billy said he plans on filing violation of probation warrants against Bethea.

Bethea was sentenced on Oct. 13, 2021, for theft of property and receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison with the sentence suspended and was placed on 36 months probation. Bethea also had a 'technical' violation of probation in March of 2022.

Bethea could now be facing the original 60-month prison sentence on the theft of property and receiving stolen property charges.