Crime & Safety

Homeless Vet Arrested After Skipping Court In GoFundMe Case: Cops

Johnny Bobbitt Jr. was arrested on Wednesday in Philadelphia, according to authorities.

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ - One day after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Johnny Bobbitt Jr. has been captured, authorities announced on Wednesday.

Johnny Bobbitt was apprehended today in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Police Department at approximately 10:45 a.m., Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Joel Bewley said.

“We will now begin extradition proceedings to have him returned to New Jersey,” Bewley said.

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Bobbitt was arrested one day after he failed to appear in court in connection with the alleged $400,000 GoFundMe scam involving himself and a South Jersey couple.

Bobbitt, Kate McClure, 28, and Mark D'Amico, 39, have all been charged with conspiracy and theft by deception in the online fundraiser that raised more than $400,000 for Bobbitt.

Find out what's happening in Cinnaminsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

At a pretrial detention hearing last month, Bobbitt was released on conditions pending court. Before that appearance, he applied for a pre-trial intervention program in order to avoid prosecution.

The program is a diversionary program that permits non-violent first time offenders to avoid criminal prosecution. As part of the program, he would admit to some form of guilt, and would be subject to restitution.

Bobbitt, Kate McClure, 28, and Mark D'Amico, 39, have all been charged with conspiracy and theft by deception in the online fundraiser that raised more than $400,000 for Bobbitt.

The stated goal of the fundraiser was to help Bobbitt get back on his feet after he struggled with addiction for years. His addiction began when he was working as a medic in North Carolina, and he moved to Philadelphia with the intention of starting a new life. However, a job he had lined up fell through, and he soon found himself once again feeding his addiction and living on the streets.

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