UPDATE: Zanesville Murder Suspect Arrested in Florida

A Zanesville murder suspect, who has been on the loose for more than a month, is now in police custody.

Detective Sergeant Ric Roush said 21-year-old Joey Hampton was arrested on Wednesday morning in Bradenton, Florida.  Hampton was wanted in the shooting death of 21-year-old Dante Wolford at the Dairy Mart on Pine Street in September.

"Through our investigation of the homicide, we determined that he had fled the area, and possibly even fled the state of Ohio, so at that time, we notified the United States Marshal’s Service, and they began investigating and tracking the location of Joey Hampton," said Roush.

Roush said Hampton was arrested without incident by the United States Marshal’s Service along with the Florida Regional Task Force.  Hampton is charged with one count of aggravated murder.

"We’re very happy to get him off the streets, and we’re happy that it all went down without anyone else getting injured or killed," said Roush.  "We were very concerned about Hampton being on the run, and I can’t say thank you enough to the Florida authorities for helping us out with this one."

Hampton is being held in Manatee County, and he will face an extradition hearing in the next few days.  Roush said if Hampton waives extradition, he will be transported back to Zanesville by the Zanesville Police Department to face charges.