DIXIE COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida fugitive wanted on outstanding warrants in two counties was arrested Sunday, November 8, 2026, after deputies said he fled a rollover crash, assaulted a woman and threatened two people with trimming shears in the Jena area of Dixie County.
Frederick Anthony Milito III was eventually found hiding inside a locked camper near the crash scene following a search involving Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Florida Department of Corrections K-9 teams.
A second person, Katie Watson, was also arrested after investigators accused her of attempting to conceal Xanax to prevent Milito from facing additional charges.
Driver Flees Rollover Crash Involving Power Lines
Dixie County deputies initially responded to a report of a single-vehicle rollover crash in the Jena area.
While deputies were on their way, dispatchers received additional information that the driver had reportedly struck a woman in the face.
When deputies arrived, they discovered a vehicle overturned on its side and entangled in power lines.
The driver, later identified as Milito, had fled before law enforcement arrived.
A records check revealed that Milito had outstanding extraditable warrants from Hillsborough and Marion counties. Deputies also learned that he was a convicted felon who might be in possession of a firearm.
As investigators gathered information, they determined that Milito had allegedly struck a female victim in the face and threatened two individuals with a pair of trimming shears.
K-9 Teams Track Fugitive to Locked Camper
The sheriff’s office requested assistance from the Florida Department of Corrections K-9 teams to locate Milito.
Working together, deputies and K-9 personnel searched the surrounding area and located Milito hiding inside a locked camper a short distance from the crash.
According to the sheriff’s office, Milito initially refused commands to exit the camper but eventually surrendered to authorities.
He was taken into custody without further confrontation.
Woman Accused of Hiding Xanax to Protect Suspect
During the investigation, deputies also identified Katie Watson as a suspect in an alleged attempt to conceal evidence.
Investigators said Watson tried to hide Xanax to prevent Milito from facing additional criminal charges.
Watson was arrested and charged with felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Fugitive Faces Outstanding Warrants and Additional Charges
Milito was arrested on outstanding warrants involving:
- Felony violation of probation related to uttering a forged instrument and grand theft of an automobile
- Writ of bodily attachment for child support
The Florida Highway Patrol also issued charges related to the rollover crash, including a driver’s license violation and hit-and-run.
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office is referring additional charges to the State Attorney’s Office for consideration, including battery, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and resisting an officer without violence.
The sheriff’s office thanked the Florida Department of Corrections Cross City and Taylor Correctional Institution K-9 teams, along with the Florida Highway Patrol, for assisting in the search and arrest.