BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Bluefield man accused of striking the mother of his child multiple times in the face with a handgun was arrested Friday after police discovered him riding in a vehicle during a traffic stop.
According to the Bluefield Police Department, the investigation began on April 15, when officers were dispatched to PCH Bluefield after a woman arrived at the hospital with severe facial injuries.
Officers spoke with the victim, who reported that shortly before midnight on April 14, she was sitting in a vehicle with friends outside a residence on Woodland Avenue when the father of her child, identified as Jadean Isiah Smith, approached the vehicle.
She told police she initially believed Smith was simply coming to talk because the group frequently gathered at the residence. However, she alleged that Smith tapped her on the shoulder and, when she turned around, struck her in the face with a handgun. She told officers that after attempting to start the vehicle and leave, Smith allegedly struck her a second time.
The victim described the weapon as an all-black Glock pistol equipped with an extended magazine. She also told officers Smith left the scene in a black Jeep Patriot.
Police later located the vehicle at a Bluefield residence but were unable to find Smith. Based on the victim’s statement and injuries observed by officers at the hospital, authorities sought a warrant charging Smith with malicious or unlawful assault.
Nearly two months later, on June 13, a Bluefield police officer conducting stationary patrol on Princeton Avenue observed a maroon Cadillac traveling at a high rate of speed. According to the report, the vehicle illegally passed another car stopped at a red light and was clocked at 49 mph in a 25 mph zone.
After initiating a traffic stop, the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver, identified as Jimae Lowe, was found to be out on bond for a domestic assault case involving the front-seat passenger, Nikahia Taylor. Police determined Lowe was prohibited from having any contact with Taylor under the conditions of his bond.
While searching the vehicle, officers discovered a black AR-style pistol in the trunk. Lowe reportedly admitted there was a firearm in the vehicle, a violation of his bond conditions.
During the stop, police learned that rear-seat passenger Jadean Smith had an active arrest warrant for malicious wounding. Officers removed Smith from the vehicle and discovered a black handgun case in the floorboard where he had been sitting.
Further investigation led officers to locate a black Glock pistol hidden beneath the seat cushion where Smith had been seated, along with a 31-round extended magazine and a separate 17-round magazine.
According to police, the firearm and extended magazine matched the description provided by the victim during the April assault investigation. Officers also noted that Smith was allegedly prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his history of drug-related offenses and prior interactions involving marijuana possession.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered suspected drug paraphernalia and what officers believed to be marijuana.
Smith was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant and faces charges stemming from the April assault investigation. Lowe also faces potential charges related to violating the conditions of his bond.
The investigation remains ongoing.
