NICE – A man who reportedly skipped out on parole for manslaughter in 1989 and has been living under an assumed name was found and arrested this week in Nice.

Lt. Cecil Brown of the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday that deputies arrested James Bradley Sherman, 47, on Wednesday.

Sherman came to the attention of sheriff's detectives thanks to an anonymous tip, Brown reported.

According to the tip, a man using the name “Martin Sugarman” was living in Nice and wanted for a murder that occurred in California 10 years ago. Brown said the tip didn't say what the man's real name was.

Detectives Corey Paulich and Brian Kenner began checking records related to the name “Martin Sugarman,” which initially appeared to be the the man's actual identity. He'd been issued both a driver's license and a Social Security card in that name, Brown reported, had purchased property and even initiated contact with law enforcement using that identity.

However, upon further study Paulich and Kenner determined that Sugarman seemed to have not appeared until 1995, Brown said.

After they obtained a thumbprint, they found out that Sugarman's real name actually was James Bradley, who had served a prison term for voluntary manslaughter with a firearm in the 1980s. Sherman, born in Santa Monica, had been working in construction.

Sherman had been released on prison on the condition that he satisfactorily complete a period of parole, Brown reported. However, Sherman reportedly skipped out on that obligation, and in July 1989 authorities issued a fugitive from justice warrant for him.

On Wednesday sheriff's detectives and patrol deputies positioned themselves near Sherman's Nice home, arresting him in front of the house without incident, said Brown.

Deputies searched his house, finding five firearms, ammunition and side-handle baton – the latter being unlawful to possess, unless specifically authorized by California law, Brown said.

In the case of Sherman, a convicted felon, possessing firearms or ammunition also is illegal, Brown added.

Sherman was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of parole violation, unlawful possession of a weapon (billy club), convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is being held without bail due to the parole violation.

The case, said Brown, is still under investigation to determine if Sherman violated laws regarding falsifying documents or identity theft.

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