Ed Brown himself states that the police are now leaving and that media are being allowed to approach the house.
According to his blog, "apparently this was a test by the "authorities" to see what kind of response would come from the community......testing to see what might happen if they move in......."
This was also confirmed verbally by the Browns during an appearance on the RBN radio network.
We received early unconfirmed reports that the Brown house was on fire - although according to reports, "Federal authorities indicated Thursday they will not raid the home of two convicted tax evaders but would serve a warrant."
Fox News reports, "The U.S. Marshal's Service says a supporter of the fugitives was detained near the Browns' home this morning and that they served a federal warrant to seize Elaine Brown's dental office in Lebanon."
In addition, it is being reported that authorities have closed the airspace above Brown's home and that an AP photographer was ordered to leave after flying over the property.
Fred Smart, a close friend of the Brown's confirmed that Brown's phone has been cut and that at around 8:30PM last night a silent surveillance drone with a bright beaming light encircled the Brown's property as if conducting reconnaissance.
News reporters have confirmed that police have surrounded the property and that they were kept away from the property. Neighbors have been evacuted from their homes.
Officer Jack McLamb attempted to call the Sheriff's office in the area but was told that he was out of town.
Authorities have been telling reporters that they would not violently engage the Brown family for the past few months but this now appears to have been a drill for a potential future scenario in that mold.
"Dozens of heavily armed state police and federal agents have assembled near the rural Grafton County home of tax protesters Ed and Elaine Brown."
"About 50 state troopers, some armed with high-powered rifles, along with a vehicle from the explosives unit gathered this morning in Plainfield, a small town where Edward and Elaine Brown have holed up in their home since being convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms," reports the Plainfield Union Leader.
More live updates at this blog.
VIDEO news report from the scene.
We are encouraging people in the Plainfield area to get down to the area immediately to see what is happening.
VT II