PARSONBURG, MD. — Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis reports that on 08/14/14 at approximately 0109 hours, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to 7000 block of Parsonsburg Road, Parsonsburg, MD for reports that Jason Michael Layfield was discharging a shotgun outside as well as inside the home and threatening the occupants.
Police say that initial responding Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies and Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack arrived on scene and took Jason Layfield into custody without incident. The Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Through the course of the investigation it was learned Jason Layfield had allegedly come home with signs of alcohol intoxication and was allegedly upset over a game of pool. Layfield began to argue with the occupants of the home.
Police report that Layfield retrieved a shotgun from his bedroom and went outside the residence where he discharged the weapon into the air. Layfield then returned inside the residence reloaded the weapon and targeted a female occupant of the home. Layfield then turned the firearm on himself and threatened to take his own life. Layfield then discharged the weapon sending the projectile into the living room ceiling.
No injuries were reported during this investigation. Police say that Layfield was additionally found to be in possession of a large quantity of marijuana, and distribution related paraphernalia. Jason Layfield has been charged with the above related offenses and is in the custody of the Wicomico County Detention Center.
Layfield has produced drama for police before this summer’s incident with his shotgun.
On April 13, 2003 he made telephone threats of arson which resulted in the charges being placed on the stet docket in Wicomico County District Court on June 3, 2003.
In Worcester County District Court on Sept. 3, 1999, Layfield was sentenced to 30 days in jail on drug charges and fined $300. All of his sentence was suspended.
On Feb. 5, 2012, Layfield was charged by Ocean City Police Officer Kory Moerschel with assault and trespassing in Worcester County. On April 23, 2012, he was found guilty and fined $300 for trespassing and the charges of assault and disorderly conduct were dropped by the Worcester County States Attorney.
In 2005 and 2006 he was cited in a case of a person seeking a temporary protection order against him and in another case was brought to court by the State of Maryland to enforce collection of his child support.
The Wicomico County Maryland Sheriff reports the following incidents and arrests:
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 11 August 2014
Location: 9000 block of Jarrett Drive, Hebron, MD
Suspect: Aaron Benjamin Pittman, 19,Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 11 August 2014 at 8:00 AM a deputy arrested Aaron Pittman in connection with a felony assault he allegedly perpetrated at a residence in the 9000 block of Jarrett Drive in Hebron. In this incident,Pittman reportedly entered the residence while brandishing a semi-automatic handgun and confronted the three occupants. During the investigation, the deputy learned that the confrontation stemmed from the fact that one of the individuals in the residence had ceased purchasing marijuana from Pittman. The deputy was informed that all three individuals believed that their lives were being threatened by Pittman who was making statements to shoot his would- be client if money was not exchanged. The deputy applied for and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Pittman. Upon arrest the deputy transported Pittman to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance,the Commissioner detained Pittman in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree, Handgun on Person and Reckless Endangerment
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 11 August 2014
Location: 1000 block of East Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Keandra L. Hargis, 25,Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 11 August 2014 at 3:00 PM a deputy responded to an apartment complex in the 1000 block of East Road for a reported domestic related altercation involving a firearm. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female who informed the deputy that her child’s father, Keandra Hargis,brandished a handgun during an argument. During the ensuing altercation, both the female and Keandra began to struggle for control of the firearm during which the firearm discharged. The female subject then managed to safely exit the apartment. Responding deputies located witnesses upon arrival that reported hearing the discharge of the firearm. Hargis was located at an adjacent property and taken into custody. Upon transportation to the Central Booking Unit, Hargis was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner.Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Hargis in the Detention Center in lieu of $125,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence and Reckless Endangerment
Incident: “Most Wanted” Arrest
Date of Incident: 11 August 2014
Location: 1000 block of Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jonathan Jacob Decker, 25, Salisbury
Narrative: On 11 August 2014 at 12:25 PM, Jonathan Decker was arrested after information was received via Crime Solvers of his location.Decker had previously been featured on WBOC’s “Delmarva Life” as one of Wicomico County’s Most Wanted. Decker was being sought on two Circuit Court Bench Warrants. One was issued following his failure to appear for an Assault 2nd degree case and the other was issued following his violation of the conditions of his release on bond. Decker was detained in the Detention Center without bond pending an appearance in front of a Circuit Court judge.
Charges: Failure to Appear and Violation of Conditions of Release