Bellingham SWAT helps arrest convicted murderer, child rapist known as ‘Flossy Jeff’
A man with previous murder and child rape convictions who goes by the nickname “Flossy Jeff” was arrested Wednesday after Bellingham police closed a stretch of Barkley Boulevard and called in SWAT and crisis negotiators.
Tony Lee Combs, 41, was booked Aug. 19 into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault, felony harassment and possession of a controlled substance, and jail records show he is being held without bail.
Officers were sent at approximately 8:29 a.m. Wednesday to the 1300 block of Barkley Boulevard for a welfare check after a phone line was left open following a 911 call, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
Police spoke to a female victim, who told them that Combs hit her with an open hand during an argument about his criminal past, Murphy reported. Combs allegedly became angry with the victim, who had visible injuries consistent with being assaulted.
When Combs saw a police vehicle he told the victim, “I’ll kill you if I go to jail,” according to Murphy. Police were able to get her away from the home, but Combs remained inside.
Officers learned that Combs had an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant for violating his probation from previous convictions and that he had a criminal history consisting of “violent felonies involving weapons,” Murphy wrote.
Police decided to close Barkley Boulevard between Orleans and Woburn streets and call for SWAT and crisis negotiators to assist in an effort to peacefully end the situation.
SWAT used a loudspeaker to call Combs outside and give him instructions, Murphy reported, and he was arrested without further incident.
During a search of the home, police found three baggies containing a combined 4.01 grams of methamphetamine, according to Murphy, who added that an investigation is ongoing to determine if more charges are warranted for Combs violating his requirements as a Level III sex offender.
Combs was previously arrested by Bellingham police on Oct. 9 and charged with second-degree promoting prostitution and two counts of witness tampering after it was alleged that he was pimping a woman out of the Bellingham Motel 6. Whatcom County Superior Court records show he is set to stand trial for those charges beginning Nov. 2.
Combs has previous convictions for second-degree murder in 1995, third-degree child rape in 2002, second-degree assault in 2013, witness tampering in 2005 and failure to register as a sex offender in 2018, among others. His murder conviction stems from his role in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl in a South Seattle flophouse when he provided a gun and drove a car for two other teens, according to a 1995 Seattle Times story.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 11:33 AM.
