A 38-year-old man is in custody after allegedly making bomb threats and engaging in a standoff with law enforcement that ended in arson.

• Michael Stephen Boone was arrested early Tuesday morning following a series of events that began with threats sent via text message to a Niceville resident on Monday.

According to the Niceville Police Department, they received notification of written threats sent from several phone numbers to a local citizen at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024. The messages reportedly included threats to kill and a claim that an explosive device had been planted at 1405 Beaver Run Rd.

In response to the bomb threat, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, FBI, and ATF were called to the scene to ensure the area was clear of any explosive devices.

Following an investigation led by the NPD Criminal Investigations Division, Boone was identified as the suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Boone on charges including aggravated stalking, electronic threat to kill or do bodily harm, threat of death or serious bodily harm to law enforcement, and false report concerning planting a bomb, an explosive, or a weapon of mass destruction.

When deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve the arrest warrant early Tuesday morning, Boone reportedly barricaded himself inside his residence and threatened to shoot law enforcement officers, according to the Niceville Police Department.

• In an attempt to escape, he reportedly started a fire inside the residence before fleeing. He was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest.

Boone is currently being held at the Walton County Jail. In addition to the original charges, he now faces charges of arson, obstructing, threats to law enforcement, battery on a law enforcement officer, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

The Niceville Police Department expressed gratitude to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Niceville Fire Department, and Okaloosa County EMS for their support during the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact Investigator Carlos Poveda at (850) 279-6436 ext. 1208.