JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Sheriff Department is looking for a 49-year-old Mt. Vernon man they consider armed and dangerous.

John Brown
(Source: JCSO)

According to the sheriff’s office, John Brown is wanted on charges of theft and aggravated battery. They say he is armed and dangerous and has made threats to police.

Brown is described as a white male, 5-feet seven-inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

He captured local headlines last summer when he was indicted in Jefferson County Court with Class X felony aggravated arson knowing people present for allegedly pouring gasoline around the inside his girlfriend’s residence on Dix/Irvington Road, setting it ablaze with his family inside, and then fleeing the home on foot.

The family was able to escape the fire without injury, but the home and its contents were destroyed. Brown was ultimately arrested at a Centralia residence after a day-long search for him throughout the area.

Brown remained in the Jefferson County Jail for approximately three months until $15,000 cash bond was posted on his behalf and he was released to await trial.

He has since been arrested in Washington County on a charge of felony driving while license revoked or suspended more than 10 but less than 14 times. He posted bond and was released in that case as well.