The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:31 PM

Man Arrested In Knoxville After Fleeing Florida In Attempt To Electrocute Pregnant Wife

A man was arrested in Knoxville after he fled Florida following an attempt to electrocute his pregnant wife, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Scott Wilson, 32, left a property owned by his father-in-law in Flagler County, Florida after he allegedly rigged the front door to electrocute his estranged wife.

Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office responded to 110 White Hall Drive in Palm Coast on December 26 after they received a call from Wilson's father-in-law to conduct a security check of the property.

The father-in-law cited suspicious statements made by Wilson about not letting a child touch the front door as cause for the security check.

Once deputies arrived on the scene, they noticed that the front door appeared to be barricaded and observed burn marks near the door handle. A large spark was detected after one deputy kicked the door.

Following a more extensive investigation of the property, officials determined that Wilson rigged electrical devices to the top door lock and lower door handle in an attempt to electrocute and cause serious bodily injury or even death to anyone trying to open the front door. Authorities learned that Wilson's contraption specifically intended to hurt his wife.

"This is one of the most bizarre domestic violence cases I have seen in my career. Not only did this man plan to electrocute his wife, but he could have injured a deputy or any person attempt to enter this residence," Sheriff Rick Staly of Flagler County said.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest by Florida authorities, Wilson was taken into custody in Knoxville on December 28.

Wilson was discovered sitting in a gray 2006 Chevrolet HHR in the parking lot of 2700 Middlebrook Pike. Authorities reportedly found 1.8 grams of meth in his shoe during a search.

Wilson is currently being held on a $150,000 bond and will be extradited to the Flagler County Detention Facility to face charges.