ST. GEORGE — A St. George man and woman were arrested after accidentally firing a shotgun inside their trailer Wednesday before fleeing the scene. The shotgun round reportedly traveled through multiple occupied trailers in the trailer park.
At approximately 3 a.m., officers responded to a weapons offense at Hillside Palms RV and Mobile Home Park located at 215 N. 600 East in St George, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrests.
It was reported that a bullet from a gunshot had come from inside one trailer and traveled through two other trailers before hitting the outside of a fourth trailer, according to court documents. All four trailers were occupied when the round was shot. However, no injuries were reported as a result of the shooting.
The trailer where the shotgun was allegedly fired belonged to 28-year-old Matthew Joseph Miano and 26-year-old Kasey Ann-Marie Ferguson, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement. Miano and Ferguson left the scene before officers arrived.
A warrant was issued to search Miano’s and Ferguson’s trailer. During a search of the trailer, authorities located a green shotgun slug on the floor along with magazines for a .45 caliber handgun, the report stated. Authorities also located methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the trailer.
A short while later, it was reported that a shotgun had been located on the road near the area, according to the statement. The shotgun was collected by police as found property.
On Thursday, officers located and interviewed Miano.
“Matthew admitted under Miranda that he was showing Kasey how to use his shotgun when he accidentally shot it in his trailer,” the officer wrote in the statement. “Matthew said he panicked and left the area before officers arrived.”
Miano described his shotgun as being the shotgun that was located near his residence in the roadway, according to the statement. Miano told police that after he had discharged his shotgun, he took his .45 caliber handgun and hid it in the desert. Miano later showed authorities where the handgun was located and it was recovered by police.
Ferguson was also interviewed by police and she told the same story about the shotgun accidentally going off inside the trailer.
“Kasey also admitted to using methamphetamine and heroin inside the trailer,” the officer stated.
The duo was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Miano and Ferguson of third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person; two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance; and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Miano was charged with an additional class B misdemeanor count of discharging a firearm within city limits
Judge Eric A. Ludlow, of the 5th District Court, ordered $7,500 bail each for Miano’s and Ferguson’s release pending trial.
Ferguson was found indigent by the court during her initial court appearance Friday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Douglas Terry, while Miano waived his right to counsel.
As this report is published, the two remain in police custody, according to booking information.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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More junkies. With guns to boot. Bet their parents are real proud.