Smyrna Man Charged With Choking K-9 Officer

K-9 Rex

Smyrna – Smyrna Police have arrested a couple in reference to a domestic dispute they were investigating after the pair returned to the scene of the incident and began fighting in the street, according to police. Officials said that on March 29, 2017 at approximately 10 p.m., SPD officers responded to an apparent fight in the middle of the unit block of E North Street. A responding officer recognized Megan Eashum, 30, Camden from her being involved in an earlier domestic dispute at the home, according to police.

Megan Eashum
Brandon Pierce

Officials said that Ms. Eashum was known by SPD officers to hold several local capiases for her arrest. As a Smyrna Police Officer was taking Ms. Eashum into custody, her boyfriend Brandon Pierce, 28, of Smyrna, approached the officer aggressively, according to police. Mr. Pierce was advised to stay back, however he attempted to assault the SPD officer to prevent the arrest of his girlfriend, according to authorities. Responding officers tried to take Mr. Pierce into custody, however he fled on foot onto East Street.

A responding Smyrna Police K-9 team began pursuing Mr. Pierce in their vehicle when he fled behind a building. At this time, SPD K9 Rex was deployed by his handler to apprehend Mr. Pierce. K-9 Rex found Mr. Pierce hiding behind the building and apprehended him.

During this K-9 apprehension, Mr. Pierce struck K-9 Rex and attempted to choke him. He was eventually subdued and taken into custody. After being treated and released for injuries suffered during the apprehension, Mr. Pierce was charged by SPD with Attempted Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Mischief Over $1000– (damaging a citizen’s vehicle during the fight in the street), Resisting Arrest, Assault 2nd on a Law Enforcement K-9, and Disorderly Conduct.

He was additionally charged with Offensive Touching and Criminal Mischief from the previous domestic dispute that SPD investigated. Mr. Pierce was arraigned via video court in JP #7 where he was issued a $3000.00 secured bond for charges stemming from the fight and $200.00 unsecured for charges stemming from the earlier domestic dispute. Mr. Pierce was turned over to the Department of Corrections in lieu of bond.

Ms. Eashum was charged with Malicious Interference with Emergency Communications from the domestic dispute. She was also arraigned on her court capiases via JP #7 video phone. Ms. Eashum was turned over to the Department of Corrections in lieu of cash bail for charge as well as capiases.

Image Credits: Smyrna Police