Sheriff’s office arrests man after standoff

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a hostage situation the morning of Feb. 25 in the Halltown community near Vina.

Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the FCSO received a call about 10 a.m. to report the situation. When they arrived at the scene, Roger Lee Nelson Jr., 31, of Red Bay was holding his girlfriend against her will inside his mobile home.

“She had managed to contact a third party, and they called the police,” Oliver said.

For 30-45 minutes, officers attempted to negotiate with Nelson. He refused to come out, but the woman soon emerged from the home.

“She told us he was armed – that he had rifles and pistols in the house – and that he had cut through the floor and gone under the home,” Oliver said.

Officers proceeded to negotiate with him for another two and a half hours.

“Our intention was to go in and get him, but we didn’t have to. He eventually came out,” Oliver said.

According to information the officers gathered, the situation had been going on all night, but there appeared to be no serious physical injury to the victim, Oliver said.

“I’m sure mentally and emotionally it took a toll, though,” Oliver added.

Nelson was charged with probation violation, domestic violence strangulation/suffocation, resisting arrest, attempting to elude a police officer and unlawful imprisonment first degree. He is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail with no bond.