On June 5th 2012 at approximately 3:52 p.m. officers with the DeFuniak Springs Police responded to a 9-1-1 call that resulted in Johnny Earl Branch 52 years of age being placed under arrest for Sexual Battery and Felony Battery.
When the first officer arrived he could hear yelling coming from inside the victim’s residence. The officer made entry into the residence and proceeded in the direction of the yelling. Branch was taken into custody, after being surprised by officers during the act.
The undisclosed victim was taken to a local medical facility where she was treated for injuries sustained during the attack and underwent a Forensic Medical Examination.
Branch wasn’t a stranger to the victim. Further investigation found that he had permission to be at the residence, when for whatever reason allegedly committed this horrific act.
Lieutenant Tilman Mears
Special Operations Division Commander
mearstf@defuniakspringspolice.net