On June 27, 2023, a 40-year-old man named Wayne Barlow was found dead on the side of the road in Marion County, Florida. The body was discovered in the 7600 block of NW 77th Terrace near West Highway 326 after a caller reported a dead body in the area.
The investigation by the Marion County Sheriff's Office revealed that Barlow's death was the result of a planned and botched car robbery.
Barlow had arranged to meet a woman, Jessica Long, 37, for a sexual encounter in a secluded area of the Regal Park area in Ocala. Long had planned this encounter with the intention of stealing Barlow's car, and she had enlisted the help of Michael Montgomery, 47.
According to the arrest affidavit, Long and Barlow had communicated via text messages, and Barlow had sent Long $80 via Cash App as payment for the encounter. Once Barlow sent the money, Long gave Montgomery a signal to proceed with the plan. Montgomery, referred to as "the muscle," was supposed to steal Barlow's car while he was having sex with Long.
However, the plan did not go as intended. When Barlow realized they were trying to steal his car, he attacked Long. Montgomery then intervened, using a bike lock to subdue Barlow in the car and roughing him up. Long drove them to another secluded area, where a full-blown fight broke out. During this altercation, Montgomery assaulted Barlow with a "pipe-like object" and attempted to run him over. When these attempts were unsuccessful, Montgomery shot Barlow.
The Medical Examiner's Office determined that the cause of Barlow's death was a gunshot wound to the head, with additional evidence of strangulation and blunt force trauma. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide.
Following the murder, Long and Montgomery attempted to cover up the crime. They went to a Family Dollar store to buy supplies, including bleach, to clean up the blood. Deputies found evidence in a dumpster behind the Aquatic Center in Ocala, including a towel with suspected blood, paperwork with Barlow's name, and a black CO2 BB Gun pistol. A black and silver Phoenix Arms .22 caliber handgun was also found about 30 feet from where Barlow's body was discovered.
Both Jessica Long and Michael Montgomery were arrested and charged with murder while engaged in a robbery. They are currently being held at the Marion County Jail without bond. Montgomery faces additional charges, including parole violation, resisting arrest, and aggravated battery. Long has a previous criminal history in Marion County, including arrests for grand theft, resisting arrest, prostitution, and drug possession.
