Police arrest 44-year-old Newton man after threatening wife with a gun

Newton Police Department called for its SWAT team Sunday to assist the arrest of a 44-year-old man accused of threatening his wife using a firearm.

In a press release, the police department said offers spoke with the victim around 8:42 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 in regards to the alleged assault. Officers identified the suspect as Tyree Young, of Newton, and that he was located at a residence in the 900 block of First Street North. The SWAT team was called to assist.

Young was arrested without incident. Subsequently, a search warrant was issued for the home, resulting in the seizure of a firearm, ammunition, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Young has since been transported to the Jasper County Jail and charged with the following offenses:

• Dominion/control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon (Class D felony).

• Domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense (Class D felony).

• Harassment first-degree (aggravated misdemeanor).

• Possession of a controlled substance, marijuana first offense (serious misdemeanor).

• Possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor).

Police have said this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Newton News, the victim told officers that Young had threatened her with a gun a few weeks ago. She alleged that Young threw a Bluetooth speaker at her stomach — causing a bruise — and hit her on the mouth with his hand because she was “back mouthing” him.

The hit caused swelling on her lips. When she attempted leave the residence, the complaint stated that Young pinned her against the door in the kitchen to prevent her from leaving. He then placed a gun to her head and told her three times: “I’ll kill you.” Young continued to make threats against her life over the next week.

When police executed their search warrant of Young’s home, they found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun in a brown and tan checked bag underneath the box spring in his room. Police also found 0.9 grams of marijuana and a red glass pipe used to smoke marijuana.

Young has two prior convictions of domestic abuse assault, and he is also a convicted felon. His first conviction was June 30, 1998, and his most recent felony conviction was for domestic abuse assault on July 19, 2021.

Police sent out electronic alerts to Newton residents when the search warrant was a being executed. Authorities told Newton News that the alert was meant as a cautionary measure for residents in the neighborhood due to the presence or threat of weapons.