Monroe County standoff suspect faces six felony charges

Multiple felony charges have been filed against a man accused of sparking a nearly 12-hour standoff with law enforcement in Columbia on Wednesday.

Jared M. Franke, 26, is charged with six felonies and one misdemeanor in connection with the incident, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The charges include possession of weapons as a felon, theft, possession of a stolen firearm, and assaulting, resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Law enforcement responded at about 12:30 a.m. to a report from Franke’s parents that he had stolen a firearm from their residence in the 1800 block of Meadow Court in Columbia. Officers then learned Franke had left the home in a vehicle that was not his or his family’s, according to a sheriff’s department release.

Police were warned that Franke has an extensive criminal history, that he was believed to be armed with the stolen gun, and that he may have been using narcotics, the release stated.

According to Monroe County Circuit Court records, Franke has previously been convicted of multiple felonies including drug, stalking and battery charges.

Franke later returned to the home and barricaded himself in the basement, allegedly throwing knives and pool balls and firing the gun at law enforcement, the sheriff’s department said. Deputies believed Franke may have had access to additional firearms, according to the release.

A standoff and negotiations followed that lasted into the early afternoon, with about 20 police cars from multiple agencies and an armored personnel carrier stationed near the home.

At about 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, officers used a flashbang grenade to disorient Franke. Minutes later, law enforcement officers in camouflage and full SWAT gear led him from the home to a waiting ambulance.

Thursday’s news release stated that “numerous” knives and ammunition were recovered, including a stolen Ruger .22-caliber handgun.

Franke is being held at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

No first responders were injured, the update adds.

“We are grateful that this dangerous situation was resolved without injury to Mr. Franke, the responding deputies [and] officers or members of the public,” Monroe County Sheriff Neal Rohlfing said in Thursday’s news release. “This outcome is a direct reflection of the professionalism, patience and teamwork displayed by all agencies involved.”

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday that Franke is charged with the following:

• Count I: Felon in Possession of a Weapon (in relation to the .22 caliber handgun), a Class 3 Felony
• Count II: Theft/Unauthorized Control over Property ($500-$10,000), a Class 3 Felony
• Count III: Possession of a Stolen Firearm, a Class 2 Felony
• Count IV: Felon in Possession of a Weapon (in relation to a gut hook knife), a Class 3 Felony
• Count V: Felon in Possession of a Weapon (in relation to a double-bladed Karambit knife), a Class 3 Felony
• Count IV: Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, a Class 4 Felony
• Count VII: Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor

The release said the felony charges can carry sentences between two years to 10 years depending on the offense.