The Long County and Liberty County sheriff’s offices worked with the U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend a Florida fugitive earlier this week in Long County.

According to Lt. Tom Sollosi, Liberty County Capt. Dennis Davis contacted the Long County office and said he had reason to believe that George Ertel, an escaped felon from Florida, was being harbored at a residence in the Rye Patch community. 

In addition to his charges in Florida, Ertel also was wanted for obstructing officers in Liberty County, Sollosi said.
The lieutenant said that the U.S. Marshals Service provided intelligence and assistance as deputies from both counties raided a residence on Levy Ray Road on Monday evening. 

According to Sollosi, the person who lived at the residence was Garth Binkley, who is the brother of the Florida fugitive. 
During the raid, Ertel was found hiding in a closet at his brother’s mobile home, and marijuana was discovered as well.
Ertel was turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service, Sollosi said, and Binkley was arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive and possession of marijuana.