Man threatens to shoot up OCSD, says a dispatcher is holding his daughter hostage

In a Jan. 3, hearing before Associate Judge Raymond Gross, Brady K. Jonas, 50, of Theodosia, was released on his own recognizance (OR) in a case in which he’s charged with making a terroristic threat and misusing 911. 

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Sherman, at 12:02 p.m. March 8, 2023, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department dispatch line received a call from a man who told the dispatcher he was going to shoot everyone at the sheriff’s office right then. There were more than 10 employees at the sheriff’s office when the call came in, the report says, which qualifies the act as a class D felony. 

The man called back continually throughout the day, more than 10 times the report says, shout derogatory remarks and continuing to threaten to shoot up the sheriff’s department. 

Sherman said that while the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department remained open, officers and other personnel were on high alert and others were on standby in case the man’s threat became an immediate situation.

It was later discovered that Brady Jonas was the caller. 

On Dec. 17, 2023, Jonas called 911 and was connected to the OCSD dispatcher. He reportedly said that another dispatcher (who was not on duty at the time of the call) had kidnapped his daughter and was holding her hostage. 

He called 911 eight times that day, tying up the dispatcher, who was also answering emergency calls through the line. 

“His behavior has continued with harassment toward specific employees, the sheriff’s department and other members of within the community,” Sherman wrote. 

As part of the bond release, Jonas signed that he would show up for his court appearances and comply with typical pre-trial release agreements including not consuming alcohol, recreational marijuana or drugs, not leaving the state and obeying all federal laws. 

He also had an additional condition added that no firearms are to be kept in the home where he is staying or within any vehicle he is traveling in while out on bond release. 

He is ordered to return back to court on Jan. 30 for a criminal setting.