The chief of staff for a Missouri state senator has been formally charged after getting into a fight last week at a Jefferson City bar.
On Thursday, Cole County prosecutors charged Jared Brown, 45, of Malden, with unlawful use of a weapon and peace disturbance. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Brown, chief of staff to freshman Sen. Justin Brown, R-Rolla, was booked into the Cole County Jail after the fight March 7. He later posted a $5,000 surety bond and was released.
Sen. Brown told the Associated Press earlier this week that Jared Brown had been placed on leave to "get the help he needs."
Officers arrived at the bar after the fight had been broken up by an out-of-town police officer, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.
Brown reportedly admitted to authorities he had consumed several drinks and that he was "highly intoxicated." He also admitted to getting into a fight and dropping a gun he had been carrying.
Brown also allegedly said he wished he had had his weapon closer to him during the fight and that he would have used it. He told police he carries it because he has received death threats because of his job with the senator's office, according to the report.
The victim in this case told officers Brown was standing over him while he was sitting and stated, "I will (expletive) kill you" while pointing what the victim described as a finger pistol at his head.
The weapon Brown was carrying was later identified as a 9 mm Ruger pistol loaded with five rounds. He said the two started to push each other and the altercation intensified. The gun fell to the bar floor during the fight.
Authorities said video footage at the bar confirmed the victim's account of the events. What started the fight was not stated in the report.
The chief of staff for a Missouri state senator has been formally charged after getting into a fight last week at a Jefferson City bar.
On Thursday, Cole County prosecutors charged Jared Brown, 45, of Malden, with unlawful use of a weapon and peace disturbance. Both are misdemeanor charges.
Brown, chief of staff to freshman Sen. Justin Brown, R-Rolla, was booked into the Cole County Jail after the fight March 7. He later posted a $5,000 surety bond and was released.
Sen. Brown told the Associated Press earlier this week that Jared Brown had been placed on leave to "get the help he needs."
Officers arrived at the bar after the fight had been broken up by an out-of-town police officer, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.
Brown reportedly admitted to authorities he had consumed several drinks and that he was "highly intoxicated." He also admitted to getting into a fight and dropping a gun he had been carrying.
Brown also allegedly said he wished he had had his weapon closer to him during the fight and that he would have used it. He told police he carries it because he has received death threats because of his job with the senator's office, according to the report.
The victim in this case told officers Brown was standing over him while he was sitting and stated, "I will (expletive) kill you" while pointing what the victim described as a finger pistol at his head.
The weapon Brown was carrying was later identified as a 9 mm Ruger pistol loaded with five rounds. He said the two started to push each other and the altercation intensified. The gun fell to the bar floor during the fight.
Authorities said video footage at the bar confirmed the victim's account of the events. What started the fight was not stated in the report.