A 29-year-old Anthony man is facing a felony criminal mischief charge after he got into an argument with a female victim and he allegedly caused over $1,000 worth of damages to a vehicle and cellphone.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, a female victim told the deputy that she had gotten into a verbal argument with Devan Jacob Merry.
During the argument, the victim stated that she attempted to call a family friend to help calm Merry down, and he allegedly grabbed her phone and threw it to the ground. The cellphone’s screen was smashed.
The victim told the deputy that Merry then shoved her against the wall. She was able to get separation and she ran out of the door. A witness was outside the residence in a vehicle, and the victim climbed inside the vehicle and locked the doors.
According to the victim, Merry came outside of the residence and smashed the vehicle’s windshield. The side window was also damaged, and Merry allegedly threw a cup filled with wine at the hood of the vehicle which caused a small dent.
The victim stated that Merry broke the vehicle’s door handle while he was attempting to get inside. The witness yelled to Merry that law enforcement was heading to the scene, and Merry threw a glass bottle of alcohol on the ground and left the area.
The MCSO report indicated that the total damages to the vehicle and cellphone were estimated at $1,120.
An MCSO deputy located Merry near the 5000 block of NE 38th Place. Merry was soaking wet and smelled of sewage, according to the MCSO report. He was walking and ignored the deputy’s initial commands to stop. Eventually he came to a stop and was detained.
After a medical evaluation, Merry spoke with the deputy and admitted that he was at the victim’s residence earlier in the day. He denied shoving the victim and he also denied causing any property damage. He claimed that he had decided to leave the residence and he was in the process of walking home.
Merry was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing a felony charge for criminal mischief ($1,000 or more in property damages) and a misdemeanor charge for battery.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.