Unlicensed armed security guard arrested after threatening officers in Opa-locka, police say

An armed security guard was taken into custody on Wednesday night in Opa-locka, Florida, after allegedly threatening responding police officers and refusing to surrender his rifle during a noise complaint investigation, according to local authorities.

Officers arrested 34-year-old Demetris Jones at a property located in the 13800 block of Northwest 22nd Avenue. Authorities reported that Jones was actively working as a security guard while carrying an American Tactical rifle without a valid armed security license.

Incident Overview

According to an arrest report released by local authorities, police officers responded on Wednesday night to reports of loud music originating from a property in the 13800 block of Northwest 22nd Avenue in Opa-locka. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers observed a man dressed in a security guard uniform walking in close proximity to civilians while open-carrying a long gun.

The firearm was identified as an American Tactical rifle slung around the guard's neck. Officers initiated a security check and license inspection to verify his authority to perform armed guard duties on the premises. During the encounter, officers discovered that the guard did not hold an active armed security guard license. When officers instructed him to disarm, a confrontation ensued in which the guard refused to surrender the weapon and made verbal threats against the responding officers, leading to his immediate arrest.

Suspect Information

Authorities identified the suspect as 34-year-old Demetris Jones. According to police reports, Jones was wearing a professional security uniform and actively performing security guard duties at the Opa-locka property at the time of the incident. Further background checks regarding his licensing status confirmed he did not possess the required active state license to carry a firearm while working in a security capacity.

Police Response

Officers from the local police department arrived at the scene initially to address a routine neighborhood noise complaint regarding loud music. Upon identifying an armed guard operating around members of the public, officers acted to verify regulatory compliance. When the suspect became non-compliant, refused orders to surrender his firearm, and voiced threats against the officers, law enforcement personnel de-escalated the immediate physical threat and safely disarmed and secured the suspect without further recorded injury to bystanders or officers.

Investigation

The investigation was initiated immediately following the on-scene confrontation. Responding officers conducted real-time administrative checks through state regulatory databases to determine the validity of the suspect's security credentials. Investigators verified that Jones was operating without a valid Class "G" statewide firearm license required for security officers in Florida. Law enforcement personnel documented the physical evidence at the scene, interviewed witnesses, and finalized an arrest report detailing the armed encounter.

Evidence Collected

Law enforcement officials impounded and documented several items of physical and administrative evidence during the arrest, including:

• An American Tactical rifle that was slung around the suspect's neck during the encounter.
• The security uniform worn by the suspect while performing unauthorized armed guard duties.
• State licensing records confirming the lack of an active armed security guard license.
• The initial arrest report and official statements recorded by responding officers at the scene.

Arrest Details

Demetris Jones was placed under arrest on Wednesday night in the 13800 block of Northwest 22nd Avenue in Opa-locka. Following the confrontation and his refusal to comply with police directives, officers safely relieved him of his rifle, placed him in handcuffs, and transported him to a local detention facility for formal processing and booking.

Charges Filed

While itemized statutory charge codes have not been fully released in initial public summaries, law enforcement reports outline key criminal allegations arising from the incident:

• Unlicensed Armed Security Activity: Under Florida law, performing security guard functions while armed without holding a valid Class "G" statewide firearm license is a criminal offense. State statutes strictly regulate private security personnel to ensure proper background checks, training, and legal authorization before individuals may bear arms in commercial or residential settings.
• Threatening a Law Enforcement Officer: Making verbal or physical threats of violence against police officers during the execution of their lawful duties constitutes a severe offense. Depending on the nature of the threat and the presence of a weapon, such conduct can be charged as assault or aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, carrying enhanced statutory penalties.
• Refusing to Comply with Lawful Commands: Disobeying clear directives from uniformed officers during a high-risk police encounter, particularly involving a firearm, forms the legal basis for charges related to resisting or obstructing an officer without violence.

Court Information

The criminal proceedings against Demetris Jones fall under the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which serves Miami-Dade County. Case numbers, docket details, and scheduled bond court appearances have not been made available in the initial law enforcement release. Standard court procedure dictates that individuals arrested on felony or misdemeanor charges receive an initial appearance before a judicial officer within 24 hours of booking to evaluate probable cause and establish conditions of pre-trial release.

Statements from Authorities

According to an arrest report and coverage by WSVN Miami, police officers moved swiftly to neutralize potential danger when the suspect refused to surrender his firearm. Authorities emphasized that unlicensed armed security activity poses a direct risk to public safety, especially when individuals operating in uniform refuse to comply with law enforcement commands in public spaces.

Public Safety Information

Public safety officials urge property managers and business owners to verify that all contracted security personnel possess valid state-issued licenses before deploying them on commercial or residential properties. Members of the public who observe suspicious or unlicensed security activity, or who experience immediate safety emergencies, should call 911 immediately. Non-emergency public safety concerns in the area should be reported to local police dispatch channels.

What Happens Next

Following his arrest and booking, Demetris Jones will undergo an initial court appearance where a judge will formally read the allegations, assess pre-trial detention conditions, and set bail. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office will review the police arrest report and evidence to make a formal charging decision through the filing of an information or indictment. If formal charges are filed, the case will proceed to arraignment, where the defendant will enter a plea, followed by pre-trial discovery, motion hearings, and potential trial proceedings.