Joshua Jefferson/Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office

 

(KNZA)--A suspect has been identified in connection to a standoff Wednesday evening in Holton

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, the suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Joshua Jerome Jefferson, of Holton.

Morse says officers with the Holton Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office were called just after 5:15 p.m. Wednesday to 206 New Jersey Street to an animal cruelty call.

It was reported that a resident of 206 New Jersey Street allegedly dragged a dog from a neighboring yard toward New Jersey Street while beating and strangling the animal. A neighbor attempted to intervene and stop the abuse and was allegedly battered by the suspect. When a Holton Police officer arrived on scene, the officer allegedly observed the suspect on top of the neighbor, striking the individual.

The suspect then got up and headed toward his residence, where he allegedly failed to comply with commands given by the officer. The suspect allegedly told the officer he was entering the residence to retrieve a weapon and would return and force the officer to shoot him. The suspect then entered the residence and barricaded himself inside.

Attempts to communicate with the suspect were unsuccessful. Eventually, law enforcement officers were able to enter the residence, where the suspect was found hiding in a basement crawl space wrapped in a blanket. The suspect was taken into custody by Holton Police around 11:30 p.m.

Morse says Jefferson is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, battery, criminal damage to property, and animal cruelty.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office also assisted during the incident.