NORTH OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla., Sept. 29, 2025—A former Holt resident was tracked as a fugitive through a swamp Saturday in north Okaloosa County.

Anthony Dewayne McLeod, 47, now from Laurel Hill, was charged with four counts of domestic violence battery and criminal mischief with property damage.

After several hours tracking McLeod through a swamp, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K9 Beau and Deputy Tim Patterson, with the assistance of the OCSO Drone Unit and Okaloosa and Walton correction institution teams, located McLeod after he ran into a swamp area to try to escape, according to an OCSO news release.

McLeod was wanted on charges of domestic battery involving at least two separate victims last week.

In the first case reported to deputies Wednesday, the victim said McLeod pulled handfuls of hair from her head at a home on Second Avenue in Laurel Hill.

Another victim said McLeod hit her and pulled her hair at a residence off State Road 85 near Crestview Friday, according to the release.

McLeod’s prior arrests include various drugs charges, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, property damage, child abuse and fleeing to elude, among others. In 2016, he was sentenced for aggravated domestic battery and kidnaping as well as grand theft auto, burglary and weapon possession. He was last arrested in 2021 for drugs.

McLeod was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail after his capture.

Staff and OCSO news release