Law enforcement surrounded the Plainfield New Hampshire home of Ed and Elaine Brown Thursday …prompting speculation that authorities were about to take the two convicted tax evaders into custody.
New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports.
U-S Marshal Stephen Monier says SWAT teams and armored vehicles showed up to the Plainfield home -- not to arrest the Browns, but to conduct surveillance.
Monier says authorities wanted to keep tabs on the Browns while they served seizure warrants on Elaine Brown’s dental office in nearby Lebanon.
During the surveillance, police discovered a supporter of the Browns walking near the property.
“He basically saw one of our officers and we had no choice but to take him into custodyâ€
Monier says the man – whose name is not being released - was detained for his safety and the officer’s safety at the scene.
But Monier says the man could face charges.
“People who may be aiding and abetting the Browns in their continuing obstruction of justice, that is their refusal to surrender, may be subject to arrest, we will continue the investigation into whether charges will be filed and the circumstances surrounding that detention.â€
The U-S Marshal’s office has been negotiating with the Brown’s since their tax evasion conviction in January.
The Brown’s were sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Monier says his office will continue to communicate with the Browns to try to convince them to surrender.
"It’s never been our intention to engage in some kind of violent confrontation with the Browns – they’ve made statements to that affect, and we’re going to continue to patiently work to carry out the court’s orders"
The Browns have said they will not surrender.
For NHPR news, I’m Amy Quinton.
