Knox County man arrested in standoff

KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A tense standoff in Knox County ended Sunday with the arrest of a man wanted on multiple warrants.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a home in the Girdler community, where 49-year-old Jerry Messer of Artemus had barricaded himself inside an outbuilding. Officials say Messer was armed and had threatened to provoke a deadly encounter with law enforcement.

After a standoff, deputies say Messer eventually surrendered without incident. He was taken into custody on several outstanding warrants, including charges related to drug trafficking and a parole violation.

Deputies also recovered a loaded handgun and shotgun at the scene. Messer now faces additional weapons charges.