BELLE — A Belle man arrested and charged with five felonies after he allegedly harassed, assaulted and threatened to kill his wife in her home is being held without bond in the Maries County Jail.

Terry L. Watson, 51, of Belle, was arrested on April 25 following a joint investigation by Belle Marshal Jerry Coborn and Maries County Sheriff’s deputies Det. Dale Harp and Cpl. Tim Edwards.

After Coborn informed Maries County Chief Deputy Scott John of the April 24 situation, John offered the expertise of the county’s detectives. Coborn accepted the assistance and both departments moved forward with the investigation that resulted in Watson’s arrest.

According to a probable cause statement written by Coborn, Watson’s wife, who is named only as the victim, told Belle police over the past several months that her husband Terry Watson “has been very abusive both verbally and mentally.”

The victim alleged Watson had been calling and threatening her life and the lives of her family members. She became so fearful that she filed paperwork for a temporary order of protection, which was granted on April 23 in Maries County. The victim was able to corroborate her story by providing copies of text messages and voicemails of Watson threatening her and her family, telling her to leave town, and terrorizing her to the extent that she feared for her life and borrowed a handgun from a family member for protection.

According to Coborn’s statement, on April 24, while the victim was at work, Watson intentionally parked his vehicle several blocks away and walked to the victim’s residence in order to avoid making her suspicious, which the marshal categorizes as a premeditated attack. Watson was waiting inside the residence in the dark for the victim to come home from work.

The victim noticed Watson’s vehicle parked blocks from her residence and contacted Gasconade County Dispatch to request an officer, alarmed that her husband’s vehicle was in the area. Coborn responded to her residence, and noted the location of Watson’s truck.

Coborn waited outside the residence while the victim went inside. According to his report, the victim started to open doors because she felt scared. She was startled by the living room door opening and Watson pointing a 410 H&R single shotgun in her face in a threatening manner. He was also wearing blue examination gloves on his hands.

According to Coborn’s statement, the victim screamed and ran toward the kitchen and the back door of the residence, slipping on the floor and sliding past the marshal who had heard her scream and was on his way inside.

“I made entry into the residence, meeting the victim as she was falling on the floor. The victim was terrified and hysterically crying that ‘he has a gun! He pointed it at my head!’” according to Coborn’s report. “I continued to move around the victim. As I entered the hallway from the kitchen Watson was standing directly in front of the entryway coming from the living room when I made contact. Watson heard me enter and I believe placed the firearm on the couch next to the living room entrance. When I made contact, he already removed the blue gloves from his hands.”

The gloves were later located next to several empty Corona bottles and a full bottle of Jim Beam, Apple, Bourbon, which the victim said weren’t hers because she doesn’t drink.

Watson, who was previously convicted of a felony on July 14, 2016, in the state of Virgina, is prohibited from possessing a firearm. A second order of protection issued in Virgina is in effect until 2027 and prevents Watson from handling firearms.

According to the arrest warrant signed by Maries County Judge Kerry G. Rowden filed on April 25, Watson is being charged by Prosecuting Attorney Tony Skouby with domestic assault - first degree, a class B Felony; harassment - first degree and unlawful use of a weapon - class E Felony; unlawful possession of a firearm - class D Felony; and armed criminal action - unclassified felony.

Watson has been ordered to cease all contact with the victim.

Edwards, Maries County Sheriff’s deputy, assisted with securing Watson’s vehicle that was parked blocks away and believed to be there for an alibi. Harp is also applying for search warrants for Watson’s cellular device to download any communicated threats or any additional evidence which may be located on the device.

Coborn and Harp are continuing the investigation to ensure all evidence is collected and used to prosecute Watson for this crime.

“I am very pleased we were able to assist Marshal Coborn with this investigation, ensuring this individual is held fully accountable of his actions,” John said.