Man Pleads, Sentenced For Aiming At Officers

By Mike Perleberg

Edward B. Jones, Jr.

file photo

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - A two year prison sentence is given to a man who allegedly pointed a gun at two Indiana Conservation Officers.

Edward Jones, Jr. pleaded guilty in Dearborn Superior Court II this week to two felony charges of Intimidation of a Deadly Weapon. The 43-year-old also pleaded to misdemeanors including Hunting Without Consent of a Land Owner, Illegal Taking of Whitetail Deer, Hunting Deer with Illegal Devices, Taxidermist Violation, and Illegal Taking of River Otter.

Jones, of West Harrison, has been sentenced by Judge Sally Blankenship to 10 years for the felonies, with eight of those years suspended to probation. He received 60 days for each of the misdemeanors, although those sentenced will be serviced concurrently with the felonies. The judge credited Jones for 256 days served in jail since his arrest.

Last November, Jones was hunting without permission on private property along Jamison Road in West Harrison. The property owner contacted law enforcement.

When conservation officers approached Jones in a wooded area, he took a knee and aimed his gun at them. The officers took cover, allowing Jones to flee.

A large manhunt ensued. Jones was eventually apprehended in Ohio near the state line.

As part of his sentence, Jones is ordered to have no contact with the owner of the property where he trespassed. He must pay the property owner $1,200 in restitution.

Though a sentence has been given, one aspect of Jones’ case remains unsettled: what to do with the guns and ammunition investigators seized from Jones following his arrest. Prosecutor Aaron Negangard has motioned to have those items destroyed. Jones’ and his attorneys have objected to the motion.

Blankenship has set a hearing on the matter for Wednesday, September 25.

In addition to his charges in Indiana, Jones was charged with Inducing Panic in Hamilton County, Ohio.

RELATED STORIES:

Hunter Allegedly Pointed Rifle At Officers