By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Jonathan Martin pleaded guilty June 9th to a misdemeanor charge of Domestic Assault before Judge Shaffer during his session of the 22nd Circuit Court at the Tucker County Courthouse in Parsons. The charge was a lesser included charge. The plea deal also included a deferred judgment on the felony charge of Possession with Intent to Deliver. Martin appeared in Court along with his Attorney Seth Hoy.
Under the Domestic Assault charge, the 44 year old faces six months in jail sentence and a $100 fine. Martin also surrenders his firearm rights under the charge. Sentencing on the misdemeanor charge will be held on July 20th.
The Possession with Intent to Deliver felony charge is subject to a deferred adjudication. Under such conditions, Martin was not judged guilty in Court that day. Instead, he will be held under probation, and other strict Court terms such as programs, drug testing, etc, for a term of two years. At the end of the two year period, if all conditions have been successfully met, Martin will be allowed to withdraw his felony plea and replace it with a misdemeanor plea.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins said she believed the deal was in the fairest interest of justice in the case. Wilkins went on to inform the Court that she had spoken to the victim in the case and the victim had agreed to the agreement.
“I believe it is with the fair administration of justice, Your Honor,” Wilkins said.
Judge Shaffer asked Martin if he had a medical marijuana card. Martin said that he did. The Judge said that one of the conditions of the deferred adjudication included abstaining from drugs, including medical marijuana because it is still federally illegal.
“You can take it (medical marijuana card) to the Tucker County Landfill and throw it away,” Shaffer said.
Wilkins informed the Court that on October 12th, 2025, a call was received about a domestic incident in which an argument had erupted between Martin and his ex, the victim. The argument was during an exchange of their son at Martin’s residence in Davis. The female victim caller escaped through the back door after the defendant threw a cup at her. Martin followed the victim from the residence. The victim was found bloodied later by police and EMS. Martin and the boy were later found at a coffee shop up the street.
Upon arrival at the residence, police located an indoor marijuana growing operation that included many plants and equipment including scales, bags and various other paraphernalia. When questioned by the Court about whether the marijuana plants were his, Martin admitted to the plants.
Martin claimed the altercation was verbal. He admitted to taking the phone.
When questioned by the Court, Hoy said he recommended his client take the plea. A verbal and written plea were entered to the Court that day. The Court accepted the guilty plea on the misdemeanor, deferred judgment on the felony pending completion of the terms of Martin’s two year probation and all other counts in the case were dismissed. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 20th.
