A Mars Hill Police Officer is
off the job after an alleged late night joy ride that included guns and
underage drinking. Jacob Ballard is a local who grew up in Marshall and went to
Madison High School. He also served in the Navy. Ballard joined the Mars Hill
Police force three months ago. He's charged with multiple counts including
aiding and abetting in a D.U.I. case, carrying a concealed weapon and allowing
underage drinking.
Sheriff's investigator say he
was out with 20 year-old James Fender, who is charged with D.W.I. and was
driving Ballard's truck at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday morning. Sheriff's reports show
the two were with three other underage men who were drinking and cited for
underage drinking.
Investigators don't know who
yet, but one of them shot up a sign on a rural road and also several mailboxes.
News 13 spoke with the Mars
Hill Police Chief who said he was contacted immediately when it occurred, and
it was handled immediately. As for his reaction to his officer's alleged
actions. "I was disappointed. An officer has a certain obligation when
they're enforcing the law they also need to uphold the law."
Ballard did not have his police
issued weapon with him, but other guns were recovered.
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