Attempted kidnapping suspect denied bond

BAKER — Terry Brackney in court Thursday morning faced the suspects who allegedly planned to rob his family and kidnap his daughter.

It was exactly one month since the teens went to the Brackney home in Baker armed with a knife and guns with the alleged plot to kidnap the 17-year-old daughter and rob the home.

Brackney, 51, told the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office his daughter called him around 10:30 p.m. saying the road to their house was blocked. When he noticed the teens trying to force their way into his garage, he fired three shots and intruders fled into the woods.

Deptuties made a traffic stop on the teens. Inside their SUV were latex gloves, facial masks and dark clothing, according to OCSO. An investigation reportedly revealed the teens were planning to kidnap the daughter and rob the home. Four teens, 19-year-old Keilon Johnson, 17-year-old Austin French, 16-year-old Tyree Johnson and 15-year-old Kamauri Horn, were arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping and robbery.

Three of the suspects were in court for a motion hearing; only 17-year-old French had a bond hearing, which was denied, Brackney said. Brackney and his daughter took the opportunity to speak in court.

"They didn't look at us," Brackney said. "There wasn't any contact."

The Nov. 7 incident changed the lives of Brackney and his only child. He said he'll unenroll his daughter from Crestview High School. She'll continue the rest of her high school education through online school.

"She doesn't feel safe," Brackney said. "She won't stay at the house by herself; she won't stay in her room. We're all more cautious than we've ever been."

Brackney said he felt some sense of peace knowing that French was denied bond. The criminal trial begins Feb. 12, according to Okaloosa County Clerk of Court records.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Attempted kidnapping suspect denied bond