Authorities arrest man with machete

A 27-year-old Brown County man was arrested Feb. 27 for possession of methamphetamine after police responded to a report of a man dressed in black carrying a machete outside the Nashville Post Office.

Nashville Police Chief Ben Seastrom responded to the call at about 7 a.m. and reported seeing a man, later identified as John M. Brown, pacing in front of the building carrying a machete, a probable cause affidavit filed.

When Seastrom pulled into the parking lot, Brown walked quickly to the first stone pillar next to the front door and tried to hide behind it, the affidavit states.

Seastrom noted that Brown had a hood on that was covering his face and head. He said Brown was carrying the machete and that he could see the blade when he peeked out from behind the pillar. Brown dropped the machete after Seastrom yelled at him to come out from behind the pillar and drop it. He yelled at Seastrom that he “needed to protect the people.” Seastrom drew his weapon and held it in a low position while ordering Brown to kneel down and place his hands on top of his head, according to the affidavit.

Brown moved around quickly, like he was dancing, and said he needed to protect the people before telling Seastrom he had a hatchet hidden behind his back, the report said. When Brown began to reach for the hatchet, Seastrom ordered him to stop and Brown complied.

Brown was put in handcuffs after Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholson Briles arrived on scene to assist. While Briles was patting Brown down for weapons, he reported finding a blue tin in his pocket that had crushed powder, crystals and a blue straw inside.

Seastrom reported the powder looked similar to methamphetamine, but Brown would not say what it was. He also refused to tell police where lived.

The 911 caller told Seastrom she had seen Brown in the parking lot moving around with a machete. A second witness reported seeing Brown in the treeline next to the post office. He reported seeing Brown swing his arms, and that’s when he saw the machete, according to the affidavit.

On March 11, Brown was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony.