Armed suspect taken into custody following multi-agency standoff in Holmes County

A Holmes County man was taken into custody early Thursday morning following a brief standoff with law enforcement on Bonifay Gritney Road, according to a release from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, working in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a residence to serve multiple arrest warrants on Justin Brown and execute a search warrant on the property.

Authorities reported that prior intelligence indicated Brown may be heavily armed and had allegedly made threats toward law enforcement if officers attempted to take him into custody. Investigators also received information suggesting the possible presence of explosive devices on the property.

Upon arrival, deputies attempted to make contact with Brown using a public address system and by phone but were unsuccessful. After approximately 45 minutes of continued efforts, deputies broke several windows of the residence, prompting Brown to exit. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Due to concerns about potential explosives, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called to the scene. Officials reported that multiple suspicious devices were located throughout the property, including items tied to trees and marked as explosives. The devices were safely cleared by the EOD team.

Brown was arrested on multiple warrants, including two counts of false imprisonment, four counts of child abuse, two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child, and one count of sexual battery. According to investigators, the charges stem from an ongoing Holmes County Sheriff’s Office investigation in which several children alleged that Brown provided them with alcohol and drugs and engaged in inappropriate contact.

Holmes County Sheriff John Tate expressed appreciation for the assisting agencies, including Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and Department of Homeland Security investigators.

“This situation had the potential to be extremely dangerous, not only for law enforcement but for the community as well,” Tate said in the release. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved, this suspect was taken into custody safely and without incident.”

The investigation remains ongoing.