By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Jayson Lamar Howey

PIERCETON — A Pierceton man was recently arrested for two criminal cases after using drugs and possessing a handgun as a convicted felon.

In the first case, Jayson Lamar Howey, 38, 7881 E. CR 500S, Pierceton, is charged with possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony. He is also charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and sentence enhancement possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony, in a second case.

On March 15, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer responded to a report in North Webster of a man refusing to leave a residence while armed with a handgun.

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a woman who said she wanted Howey trespassed from a property. She said Howey had a handgun and did not threaten her with the weapon.

According to court documents, when the officer checked Howey for weapons, he found a fully loaded pistol tucked in Howey’s pants. When asked what happened with the gun, Howey allegedly said he had a disagreement with a person but didn’t say who.

The officer noticed Howey had poor balance, slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol. Howey was given a trespass warning from the property; the officer took the handgun due to Howey’s intoxicated state.

After releasing Howey from the scene, the officer learned Howey had an extensive criminal history, including a conviction of dealing methamphetamine in 2017.

On March 27, a Pierceton Police officer responded to a report of a man attempting to force his way into a vehicle at a gas station. Upon arrival, the officer found a man matching the suspect’s description walking east on US 30.

Court documents state the man was holding a glass liquor bottle. The officer instructed the man, later identified as Howey, to put the bottle down. Howey did not comply with the officer’s verbal commands and was physically taken to the ground.

Howey continued to resist arrest and the officer had to use a Taser.

While searching Howey’s person, the officer found a glass smoking device with methamphetamine residue. While Howey was being booked in the Kosciusko County Jail, officers found a second glass smoking device and a bag containing about 11 grams of methamphetamine.

Howey was arrested on these cases on March 27.