JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – A Punxsutawney man is facing a hearing today on charges from an incident where he allegedly shoved a loaded gun in a pregnant woman’s face, then threatened to kill her.
Court documents indicate 31-year-old Jeffery W. Smith is scheduled to stand for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29.
He faces the following charges:
– Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause or causes Bodily Injury with a deadly weapon, Felony 2
– Terroristic Threats With Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
He is currently free on $35,000.00 monetary bail.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint, around 8:21 p.m. on January 22, Punxsutawney Borough Police were dispatched to a location on Indiana Street for a report of a domestic incident involving a firearm.
At the scene, police observed two women outside and a man standing in a doorway partially behind a door. Police then identified themselves and yelled for the man to show his hands due to a firearm being reportedly involved, the complaint states.
The man, later identified as Jeffery Smith, failed to comply at first, but after being told he would be subject to lethal force, he complied and put his hands up. He was then placed into custody, according to the complaint.
Police then spoke with the female victim.
The victim reported that Smith became upset with her and the other woman and grabbed his handgun, a Ruger SR40, cocked it, and shoved it in her face while grabbing her and threatening to kill her.
The victim told police she was able to free herself by scratching his neck, and then ran outside and called 9-1-1.
The complaint notes police observed the victim’s right eye was bruised and the right side of her forehead was severely bruised and swollen. When asked, the victim told police the bruise and swelling were from when Smith threw something at her the previous day.
Police also observed blood on the victim’s right hand and a small laceration on her middle finger that she said were from trying to get away from Smith.
According to the complaint, the victim was also bleeding from a cut on her lip on side of her mouth, which she reported was from the gun being shoved into her face.
The complaint also notes the victim is 33 weeks pregnant.
After speaking to the victim, police located the Ruger SR40, as described by the victim, in the kitchen. It was found loaded with a round in the chamber, according to the complaint.
Smith was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Douglas Robert Chambers at 10:08 a.m. on January 23.
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