(Marion County, FL) Yesterday afternoon, jurors delivered their verdict in the 2023 murder case of 40-year-old Wayne Barlow. After a brief deliberation of the evidence presented and compelling testimony by 39-year-old co-defendant Jessica Lynn Long, jurors found 48-year-old Michael Montgomery Jr. guilty of First-Degree Murder with a Firearm. Montgomery was also convicted of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Driving while License Suspended or Revoked, and Resisting Law Enforcement Officer. The defendant was sentenced to Life in prison.
On June 27, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were called to an area off NW 77th Terrace in Ocala, in reference to a deceased male. Upon arrival, officials were informed by the 9-1-1 caller that he was in the area, traveling home, when he observed what he thought to be a dead hog on the side of the road. Upon getting a better look, the reportee realized it was a human body. MCSO’s Forensics Unit and Major Crimes Detectives, as well as the Medical Examiner’s Office, responded to the scene.
Officials observed the victim to have an apparent gunshot wound to the side of his head. Additionally, the decedent had a black eye and other scrapes and bruises, clothing that appeared to be ripped and torn, indicating a possible fight had ensued prior to the victim’s death. Upon searching the decedent, law enforcement was able to identify the victim as Barlow.
During their investigations, detectives learned that a grey Hyundai registered to Barlow was missing. Officials entered an alert into law enforcement’s database for the vehicle. A few hours later, the Ocala Police Department (OPD) contacted MCSO detectives, advising that the vehicle was observed traveling off U.S. Hwy 441. OPD officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. After a brief pursuit with the occupants attempting to flee on foot, both were arrested and identified as Montgomery and co-defendant Long.
Both the defendant and the co-defendant were arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During an interview with co-defendant Long, she initially denied any involvement in the victim’s murder, but later informed detectives she was there during the murder. Long detailed a series of events that led up to the victim’s death, linking Montgomery as the killer. When confronted with this information during questioning, Montgomery eventually confessed to robbing the victim and indicated that the robbery got out of hand.
After obtaining statements and comparing evidence collected from the scene to include the firearm used, as well as the forensic evidence, which revealed the defendant’s DNA on the items used to choke and hit the victim, both Montgomery and the co-defendant were arrested for the death of Barlow. Co-defendant Long is set to be sentenced to a term of 30 years in prison for her cooperation in the prosecution of this case.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Richard Buxman. Thank you to the entire Marion County Sheriff’s Office team, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Ocala Police Department for their diligent work in this case that helped secure this conviction.
Published on 12/12/2025.