Man arrested in Newberry after 9-hour stand-off

Staff report

Updated on September 9 with pre-trial detention information.

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Earnest Lee Coleman Jr., 44, was arrested this morning in Countryway Town Square after a nine-hour stand-off.

Coleman’s arrest report is not yet available, but according to a release from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO), deputies responded to a residence in the Jonesville area at about 8:45 p.m. on September 1 after a call was received about a battery that had occurred at a residence in Countryway Town Square.

The 73-year-old victim reportedly said that on August 31, she had gotten into an argument with Coleman, and that escalated into a physical attack; Coleman allegedly threatened the victim with a gun, took her phone, and prevented her from leaving the home. The victim said this continued into the next day, and Coleman appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. The victim eventually escaped from the residence and fled to a nearly family member’s home, where she contacted law enforcement.

Deputies reported that the victim had visible bruising that was consistent with her account of the incident.

Deputies established a perimeter around a home in the 24600 block of SW 21st Circle, in Countryway Town Square, and made repeated announcements over a public address system, instructing Coleman to come outside; however, he did not come out.

Deputies reportedly confirmed that Coleman was inside the home, and he was believed to be armed and to have access to multiple firearms. ASO activated its SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, K-9 teams, and the Criminal Investigations Division, and the Alachua County Fire Rescue Drone Team assisted in establishing the perimeter. Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes.

For more than nine hours, deputies worked to get Coleman peacefully out of the home, including deploying a Bomb Squad robot inside the home; the SWAT Team used distraction devices (including one that made a very loud noise) and 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 has one felony conviction (non-violent) and one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent); ASO’s release states that he has a conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is on pre-trial release in Union County for trespassing and resisting an officer without violence.

Judge Joy Danne ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial. On September 9, Judge Denise Ferrero granted the motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.

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.