MIAMI — A father and son are facing charges after a probation check at their home in Miami’s Flagami area Wednesday led to the discovery of multiple weapons — including an AK-47 and four grenades — and uncovered a violent assault that occurred just days earlier.
Newly obtained arrest reports obtained by Local 10 News Thursday are shedding more light on the violent allegations that led to the discovery.
Officers with the Miami Police Department confirmed that the residence, located near the 400 block of Northwest 60th Avenue, was under surveillance due to a reported drive-by shooting and a prior assault involving rifles.
Authorities said Austin Michael Denton, 20, was already on probation for previous drug offenses and barred from possessing any firearms.
At approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Miami police officers, including members of the agency’s Gang Intelligence Task Force, said they arrived at Denton’s home to conduct an unannounced probation check.
During the search, authorities said they recovered two long guns, multiple magazines and four inert grenades, prompting the agency’s Bomb Squad to respond and nearby streets to be shut down.
According to an arrest report, the weapons search stemmed from an investigation into a violent confrontation that occurred just two days earlier, on Monday, at the same address.
The victim, who reported the incident to police the following evening, alleged that he had been ambushed and assaulted by Denton and his father, James Denton, 54, also known as “Jim,” after an argument over pills and money escalated into a fight, the report stated.
The victim told police he had agreed to a fistfight with Austin Denton following a heated text exchange, according to the report.
Though he remained on the sidewalk for “legal reasons,” the confrontation quickly turned hostile, police said.
He stated that Austin Denton was on the roof, aiming what appeared to be a black AK-47-style rifle at him, according to the report.
Verbal insults escalated into violence when Jim allegedly slammed a car door into the victim’s face, dragged him by the hair, and engaged in a tussle with him on the ground, the report stated.
The victim claimed that Austin Denton then struck him in the head with the rifle, pointed the weapon directly at his face, and was soon joined by his father, who retrieved another gun described as a submachine gun with a flashlight and also pointed it at him, authorities said.
As the victim tried to flee in his vehicle, Jim Denton allegedly reached through the open window and punched him in the eye, according to police.
Text messages and images provided by the victim, including a photo of a bloodstained sidewalk, supported his account, authorities said.
Police noted visible injuries to the victim’s face, eye, hands and back of the head, which were documented by detectives on-site.
Just hours before his own arrest, Jim Denton spoke with Local 10’s Roy Ramos outside the home as police conducted the search.
“They didn’t force entry. We were sitting right outside when they pulled up at 6:30 in the morning. The door was wide open,” Denton said, appearing to downplay the nature of the visit.
Both men were apprehended on Wednesday and transported to MPD’s Violent Crime Unit, where he initially waived his rights and spoke with investigators, according to the report.
Detectives said that Austin Denton acknowledged arguing with the victim about pills, but claimed the victim initiated the fight. He later invoked his right to remain silent after being shown images and questioned further.
Authorities said Austin and Jim Denton was positively identified by the victim through photographic lineups.
Jail records show Austin Denton is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and dealing in stolen property.
Longtime residents of the Flagami neighborhood were shocked.
“We have never seen this before,” said William Pupo, who has lived nearby since 1976. “You can have folks that have guns in their homes for safety, but grenades?!”
Police confirmed the grenades were inert and appeared to be military surplus items, commonly available with clear markings indicating they are non-functional.
As of Thursday, MPD Chief Manny Morales said the investigation remains active.
Jim Denton had not appeared as an inmate on Miami-Dade County’s Corrections website as of Thursday afternoon, and it remains unclear what charges he may be facing.
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