Nokomis Police were involved with a standoff in Nokomis last week. On Wednesday, May 18th, at 5:13 AM, Nokomis police were dispatched to 402 Griffin Street in Nokomis for a reported domestic battery. When police arrived they were unable to locate the suspect, 38 year old James A. McCaslin. Police learned that McCaslin had an active arrest warrant in Christian County.
Later that morning, at 7:34 AM, Nokomis Police were again dispatched to the residence after a report that McCaslin had returned. When authorities arrived, they learned that McCaslin had locked himself in a detached garage. Officers received reports that McCaslin may have had several homemade explosive devices, and was possibly suicidal.
After attempts to make contact with McCaslin proved futile, Montgomery County States Attorney Andrew Affrunti approved a search warrant for the property due to the possibility of an explosive device, and additional units were requested.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, ISP District 18, ILEAS critical response team, Illinois Secretary of State police bomb squad and the Montgomery County Mental Health Crisis Team assisted along with the Nokomis Witt Ambulance Company and the Nokomis Fire Department.
The standoff ended at 1:08 PM when ILEAS Critical Response team breached the garage door and McCaslin surrendered without further incident or injury. McCaslin was then transported to the Montgomery County Jail and is currently charged with obstruction of justice, domestic battery, and illegal possession of firearm ammunition with a revoked FOID.
