A Durant man was arrested without incident after a standoff March 19 in the parking lot of EZ-Mart on North First Avenue.
The incident happened when the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office attempted to arrest 25-year-old Zachary Aaron Holderness on outstanding warrants for sexual exploitation of a child under 12, possessing/distributing child pornography and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology.
According to the sheriff’s office, Holderness pulled out a gun and put it to his head and caused a standoff that lasted approximately two hours before it ended early that evening. Officers from several agencies, including the Durant Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police responded to the scene.
Officers pointed AR-15 patrol rifles and their service pistols at the pickup as a family member negotiated with Holderness to try to convince him to surrender. A Trooper also had a non-lethal gun.
About two hours later, there was a gunshot and the man negotiating with Holderness yelled, “I’ve got the gun!”
Authorities said the firearm accidentally discharged. Holderness was then handcuffed and placed into the backseat of a patrol car.
In a social media post, the Durant Police Department said, “Bryan County Deputies requested assistance in a felony warrant service at the EZ Mart located on North First Avenue in Durant. The wanted man did pose a serious risk to himself as well as responding law enforcement. The area was quickly cleared and after a period of negotiation, cooperation was gained resulting in the man surrendering into custody. We are thankful for the peaceful resolve and for the numerous agencies that responded to assist.”
In addition to the other charges, Holderness was charged the following day with felony possession of a firearm after former felony conviction. According to a court document, Holderness was armed with a Charter Arms .38 caliber revolver and he was under a deferred sentence in Parker County, Texas, for delivery of a controlled substance.
Holderness also was charged with misdemeanor obstructing an officer. That charge was filed because he obstructed police by pulling out the revolver and causing the standoff, a court document states.
He was charged with the sex crimes the same day as the standoff, according to a court document. Court papers state that Holderness took pictures of a 5-year-old child’s genitals and buttocks. He also is accused of creating images by artificial intelligence that depict children in sexual acts.
Police said Holderness solicited sexual conduct with a 17-year-old child that included sending the child multiple obscene photos, videos and text messages.
His bond on the charges was set at $550,000 and he has a preliminary hearing conference scheduled April 16.
