18-04-2025
Houston Co. man beat woman with hammer, tried to set her on fire, investigators say
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — A Houston County man is behind bars after investigators say he sexually assaulted, beat, and tried to set a woman on fire before getting in a standoff with deputies.
On Friday, Houston County deputies rushed to the 700 block of WG Bond Road after receiving a call about a domestic assault.
According to the Houston County Sheriff's Office, when deputies arrived, they found a victim near a wood line from her home, and the suspect in the assault, Franklin Brown Jr., was inside the house.
The Houston County Special Response Team and negotiators arrived on the scene and attempted to make contact with Brown Jr., who did not respond.
Deputies say that after a multi-hour standoff, Brown Jr. surrendered and was taken to the Houston County Jail.
Sgt. Brandon Barnes with the Houston County Sheriff's Office said that after an investigation, it was discovered Brown Jr. had forced himself on her 'to receive a sexual act' and then beat the woman multiple times with his fist and a hammer.
In a release to WDHN, Barnes revealed Brown Jr. then placed a pillow case over her head, tied her up using an extension cord, and poured Clorox on her body before attempting to set her on fire.
The woman was able to free herself and ran from the home. She then called 911.
Brown Jr. was charged with kidnapping in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, domestic violence, and assault in the second degree.
Brown Jr. is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond pending an Aniah's Law Heaing.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
