Alabama Pastor Murder Suspect Arrested In Texas

October 30, 2014

The Santa Rosa County man wanted for the murder of a pastor Monday morning in Escambia County, AL, has been arrested this afternoon along I-40 in Amarillo, TX.

Brett Richard Yeiter, age 46 of Little Paul Lane in Santa Rosa County, was taken into custody without incident by U.S. Marshals and local Texas law enforcement. He was still driving the same truck in which he allegedly fled the murder scene, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. He will be held in Texas awaiting extradition back to Escambia County, AL, to face an open count of murder.

The shooting occurred a the Book of Acts Holiness Church on Jimmy Sellers Road, just north of the Florida line about 15 miles northwest of Munson, FL. Responding deputies found 69-year old Paul Phillips suffering from a gunshot wound from a shotgun. He passed away a short time later. Phillips was reportedly the pastor of the small church.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Amarillo authorities received a tip about 3 p.m. that Yeiter was traveling east through the Texas Panhandle on I-40. A Texas trooper in the area spotted the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop.

Authorities possibly located Yeiter because he used his credit card in western Oklahoma, a Texas DPS spokesman told the Amarillo Globe-News.

Yeiter was Phillips’ son-in-law, Lambert said. The only known motive for the murder, Lambert said, was an ongoing domestic dispute.

Pictured: Brett Richard Yeiter was booked into the Carson County, Texas, jail after his arrest. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Alabama Pastor Murder Suspect Arrested In Texas”

  1. Patriot on November 1st, 2014 5:06 pm

    Pop, look at a map, will ya?

  2. Give me a break! on October 31st, 2014 1:54 pm

    @Carl, Who do you think called the US
    Marshall’s?!?!

  3. Pop on October 31st, 2014 11:43 am

    Scum bag was probably headed for Mexico!

  4. Carl on October 31st, 2014 9:14 am

    Experience counts? It’s obvious that Eacambia County didn’t even catch the guy. Good job U.S. Marshals, thanks for doing what the locals can’t.

  5. Nicole Watson on October 31st, 2014 8:23 am

    I prayed that he was going to get caught the same day, This man had all 31 of my children terrified. Great job to the Texas State Trooper. My children and I thank you very much. God Bless you and you be safe out there.

  6. Berrydale Resident on October 31st, 2014 3:30 am

    FYI…The US Marshall’s Service has a more up to date picture of Yeiter. I saw a poster hanging in the window of the Berrydale crossroads citgo gas station and it looks a little different then this one. If you get a chance look him up on the US Marshall’s website. It also has a similar truck like the one he may still be driving.

  7. John on October 30th, 2014 10:43 pm

    Great job Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office. It is times like these when experience counts!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News