An alcohol fueled fishing trip landed a 42-year-old in jail after he allegedly fled a Coffee County deputy while riding home on an ATV.
According to a sheriff’s office incident report, on June 10, 2025, at around 8 p.m., a deputy spotted a man, identified as James Johnson, 42, of Douglas, riding an ATV on New Forest Highway. During the stop, Johnson stated that he didn’t have any identification and he also might have a warrant, the report says. Johnson also had a container that contained an alcoholic beverage and he was slurring his words, the report says.
The officer had Johnson pour out the drink and he ran his information. The officer discovered that Johnson did in fact have a warrant. It was at this point that Johnson figured the best way out of this predicament was to flee. According to the report, he fired up the ATV and took off. The chase was a short one, just 1.3 miles according to the report, and it ended at Johnson’s residence on Second Avenue South.
Johnson jumped off the ATV and ran into his house, the report says. The officer could see Johnson inside the house holding the door shut. With his gun drawn, the officer continued to tell Johnson to leave the house, the report says. Johnson allegedly refused but eventually relented and came outside.
He was arrested and charged with numerous traffic violations, including fleeing/attempting to elude and DUI. Johnson was booked into the Coffee County Jail.