A Jones County man entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault and received three years to serve in prison.
Mark Ken Fountain entered his plea in Jones County Superior Court Jan. 5. He received a total sentence of 15 years for the charges of aggravated assault family violence and 10 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The counts will run concurrently for a total of 15 years with the first three years served in confinement.
The remainder of the sentence may be served on probation with credit for time served from July 5, 2025, to Jan. 5.
Fountain was arrested on the charges July 5. He was indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury Aug. 5 for the charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault family violence, possession of a firearm during commission of felony, two counts of battery family violence misdemeanor and possession firearm by convicted felon A report of his arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy David Brown states he was patrolling when he heard a call on the radio about a domestic issue at a nearby convenience store.
The report was a woman was thrown into a truck that was leaving the store. Brown said he went en route to the location, and other deputies went toward the home address listed on the truck’s registration.
Brown said he was informed the truck was not at the home address but was reported at another convenience store on Highway 49. The deputy said he rushed to that location using his lights but not siren.
When Brown arrived, Fountain was out of the truck, and he ordered the suspect not to get back in it. The deputy said children were in the area, so he opted to reach for his Taser as he approached.
Brown said Fountain grabbed an orange and silver pistol by the magazine that was tucked in the front of his pants. The deputy said he seized it quickly and put in on the toolbox of the truck.
A check of Fountain showed he had an expired license and is a convicted felon. He was taken into custody and was advised he was under arrest for possession of the firearm.
Brown said he then asked the suspect what was going on. He was told the woman in the truck was in pain and he was trying to get medicine for her.
The deputy said he tried to speak with the woman but could not understand what she was saying. JCSO Investigator Crystal Murphy arrived at the scene and was able to get a statement from the woman.
She told Murphy that Fountain hit her in the head and held a pistol to her head while ordering her to get back in the truck. Other injuries were also observed and documented.
Fountain was transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center, and the truck was released to a family member.
