Staff report
NEWBERRY, Fla. – Earnest Lee Coleman Jr., 44, was taken into custody this morning in Countryway Town Square following a standoff that lasted about nine hours.
Coleman’s arrest report had not been released as of this writing. According to information from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO), deputies were called to a home in the Jonesville area at about 8:45 p.m. on September 1 after receiving a report about a battery that had allegedly happened at a residence in Countryway Town Square.
The victim, a 73-year-old woman, reportedly told deputies that she and Coleman had argued on August 31 and that the dispute escalated into a physical attack. She said Coleman threatened her with a gun, took her phone, and would not allow her to leave the residence. The victim reported that the situation continued into the following day and that Coleman appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. She eventually escaped and went to a nearby family member’s home, where she contacted law enforcement.
Deputies said the victim had visible bruises that were consistent with the account she gave investigators.
Law enforcement then set up a perimeter around a home in the 24600 block of SW 21st Circle in Countryway Town Square. Deputies used a public address system to repeatedly order Coleman to come outside, but he did not exit the residence.
Deputies reportedly verified that Coleman was inside the home and believed he was armed, with access to multiple firearms. ASO activated its SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, K-9 teams, and Criminal Investigations Division, while the Alachua County Fire Rescue Drone Team helped secure the perimeter. Residents in nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Over the next nine-plus hours, deputies attempted to persuade Coleman to leave the home peacefully. Authorities said a Bomb Squad robot was sent inside the residence, and the SWAT Team used distraction devices, including one that produced a very loud noise, along with chemical agents.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and the Florida Highway Patrol Drone Team also responded to assist ASO.
During the stand-off, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Coleman, along with a search warrant.
At about 9:20 a.m. on September 2, Coleman surrendered and was charged with battery on a person over 65 years of age, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Coleman’s full criminal history is unavailable at this time, but ASO’s release states that he is a convicted felon, including a conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; locally, he has two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). The arrest warrant signed by Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard ordered him held without bail.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
