JEFFERSON MAN ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED ANIMAL ABUSE

Marion Co. Sheriff's Office

At shortly after 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team served a search warrant on S 7th Street near Greenwood Dr in Jefferson. The search warrant was in connection with an ongoing aggravated animal abuse investigation.

In July of 2023, deputies assigned to the City of Jefferson were called after a resident allegedly shot and killed their neighbor’s dog. Deputies identified the involved person as Jeremy Cornwell (43) of Jefferson. Since July, Cornwell’s family members have shared concerns for their safety due to his escalating behavior and his access to numerous firearms and other weapons.

This morning after assisting family members to safety from inside the residence, negotiators with the Sheriff’s Office began extensive efforts to get Cornwell to safely surrender. At approximately 8:30 a.m., Cornwell exited the shed he resides in on the property and safely surrendered to members of the SWAT team.

Investigators searching the shed recovered over 20 different weapons.

Cornwell has been lodged at the Marion County Jail for Aggravated Animal Abuse and Unlawful use of a Weapon. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.

This investigation was coordinated by deputies assigned to the City of Jefferson. Marion County Sheriff’s Office is contracted to provide enhanced law enforcement services to the City of Jefferson. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Woodburn Police Department for their assistance during this morning’s operation.