Charges dropped against one suspect in Aniah Blanchard case

Auburn Police Department

Antwain Fisher, 35, was initially charged with first-degree kidnapping. One of the three suspects initially charged in relation to the homicide of Aniah Blanchard, stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, saw …

A second individual has been arrested in connection with the suspected kidnapping of 19-year-old Aniah Blanchard. Antwain Fisher, 35, was arrested on November 22nd in a joint operation between the Auburn Police Department and the US Marshals Task Force.

Auburn Police Department

Antwain Fisher, 35, was initially charged with first-degree kidnapping.

One of the three suspects initially charged in relation to the homicide of Aniah Blanchard, stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, saw their charges dropped earlier this week. According to WAGM8 Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes has dropped a first-degree kidnapping charge against Antwain Fisher, 35.

Fisher was arrested in Auburn, AL in November. This came after U.S. Marshals captured Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, in Escambia County, FL. Yazeed has been charged with capital murder and is accused of killing Blanchard after abducting her on the night of October 23rd.

Fisher was initially accused of aiding Yazeed, by providing transportation and disposing of evidence. According to Hughes, since none of Fisher’s actions meet the state’s legal benchmarks for being charged as an accomplice he has sought a dismissal of the charge on “legal and jurisdictional grounds.”

A judge agreed to dismiss the charges and thus Fisher is no longer charged with any crimes in connection to the case.

Yazeed remains in prison, without bond. Hughes has stated that he will seek the death penalty should Yazeed be found guilty of killing Blanchard. Yazeed was out on bond over an unrelated kidnapping and attempted murder charge when Blanchard was murdered.

David Johnson Jr. has been charged with hindering prosecution in this case. He is accused of providing false information to investigators to protect his son, who is believed to have driven Yazeed over state lines. Johnson’s son has not been charged with any crimes. Johnson was released on a $3,500 bond.