A Fayette man is in jail after he allegedly broke into a rural Howard County home while brandishing a handgun and injuring a woman inside late Wednesday night. Johnathon P. Allphin, 32, faces charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony, unlawful use of a weapon - exhibiting, a Class E felony, and fourth-degree domestic assault, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Deputy William Long with Howard County Sheriff’s Department, he responded to a call around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, at a home on Highway 124, a few miles east of Fayette. The victim told Deputy Long that Mr. Allphin had broken into the home and entered and left several times while carrying a handgun. 

She showed the deputy photographs she had taken of the incident with her mobile telephone.

The victim has been cut by broken glass when Mr. Allphin allegedly smashed through the glass to open a locked back door. He then pushed her upon entering the residence.

She said that Mr. Allphin later drove away in a pickup truck, which was later located abandoned in a nearby field. Inside was a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum revolver containing five live rounds and one spent shell casing, according to the probable cause statement.

Deputy Long later questioned Mr. Allphin at his home, where he admitted it was him in the photographs. He initially denied having the gun but later told officers that he had thrown the handgun somewhere outside of the home. 

Mr. Allphin told Deputy Long he went to the residence on Highway 124 to confront another male. He said that he was not allowed entry upon his arrival at the house and broke glass so that he could unlock the back door. After not locating the other male, Mr. Allphin said he had left the residence.

Mr. Allphin is currently being held in the Howard County Jail. No bond has yet been assigned. He pleaded not guilty in Howard County Court on Thursday. A bond hearing was scheduled to take place Tuesday as this newspaper went to press.