Suspect arrested in Conecuh murders

A suspect in a double homicide in the Johnsonville community in Conecuh County was arrested last Thursday by the Monroeville Police Department during a traffic stop. One of the murder victims was 10-year-old Joe "JoJo" Rankins.

According to Monroeville Police Lt. Brian House, officers stopped a vehicle occupied by a driver and three passengers on Bigger Street shortly after midnight last Thursday morning. One of the passengers allegedly gave officers a false name, but officers determined that the man was Kenai "K.D." Daughtry, 18, of Monroeville. Officers arrested Daughtry when they determined that he was wanted on murder and kidnapping charges in connection with a recent double-slaying in Conecuh County.

The Conecuh County Sheriff's Department transported Daughtry to the Conecuh County Jail where he is being held on two counts of capital murder and kidnapping with no bond. He was transferred to the Escambia County Jail by deputies after his bond hearing.

Vera Moorer, 27, was arrested on kidnapping II charges last week in connection with the abduction of an 8-year-old child at the scene of the murders. She was placed under a $1 million bond and remains in the Conecuh County Jail.

Moorer is alleged to have transported the small child and later dropping her at the I-65 Repton/Lenox exit at a gas station. She was arrested by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Conecuh County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, June 20.

Conecuh County E-911 received a call of a shooting on Boone Court in the Johnsonville community at 11:28 p.m. Friday, June 16. When officers arrived on scene, they found JaTonio Williams, 31, dead of gunshot wounds. Joe "Joe Joe" Rankins Jr., 10, was also found shot at the scene and transported to Evergreen Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

A "BOLO" was issued for a missing white Yukon and a second small child. The child was located later at a service station at the I-65 77 exit and returned to family members. The Yukon was later found on the Benefield Road a short distance from the site of the shooting. The vehicle was taken by the SBI to be processed for evidence.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigations took over the investigation from the Conecuh County Sheriff's Department when they arrived on scene and are being assisted by the sheriff's department as the investigation continues.

The victims had pulled up to their home on Boone Court, where the power had been off for some time, and were ambushed by the shooter or shooters. An adult female at the scene was not injured during the shooting.

A third person, Arellious Maxwell Jr., 25, was arrested north of Montgomery last week and charged with failure to appear, attempting to elude police, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and obstructing government operations. He was placed under a $1 million bond also and is being held in the Escambia County Alabama Jail. Maxwell has not been charged in connection with the homicides at this time, but the high bond suggests more charges could be forthcoming.