Staff Report

Eric Jabez Leadford

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested for allegedly using a firearm to threaten people.

Eric Jabez Leadford, 20, 225 S. Roosevelt St., Warsaw, is charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; pointing a firearm, a level 6 felony; and battery, a class B misdemeanor.

On Dec. 24, 2023, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a domestic complaint involving a gun. A woman said she asked Leadford to purchase items for a house when Leadford yelled at her and used his body to pin her against a counter. A man at the scene stepped between Leadford and the woman to try and separate them.

According to court documents, the man said Leadford grabbed him by the throat and shoved him against a wall.

Two witnesses said they heard screams and saw Leadford driving recklessly from the scene. When one of the witnesses told him to slow down, Leadford stopped the vehicle and allegedly pointed a black pistol at them. They also heard him rack a round into the firearm’s chamber. Leadford yelled obscenities and left the scene.

A third witness said they saw Leadford holding a pistol and driving recklessly.

A KCSO deputy found Leadford and discovered a loaded firearm in his vehicle.

Leadford refused to speak with officers about the incident.

Leadford has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, in Kosciusko Superior Court One.