Man whose video arrest went viral had 14 knives at time taken into custody, police say

And on June 7, Marsh said he was “the god of this country” to a postal carrier and a resident who were talking on Verdun Street in Clarksburg, and then told both men “he would ‘come back and blow both of your heads off,’” a Clarksburg police lieutenant alleged in a complaint obtained June 8.

Hilliard said Friday’s arrest of Marsh near Pet Supplies Plus on Emily Drive remains under investigation. However, after looking at the report and watching the video, “it doesn’t look like the officers were doing anything wrong,” Hilliard said.

Clarksburg Detective Sgt. Jason Webber said authorities are seeking additional video and will check the area where the arrest occurred. The officers involved didn’t have body cameras, and there was no cruiser video, according to Hilliard.

Marsh had been stunned but continued to resist when officers “went hands-on,” the chief said.

Hilliard noted that some of the knives were visible, according to the officers. Marsh reportedly was wearing the smaller fixed-blade knife in a sheath attached to a string lanyard, according to Clarksburg Police Lt. Detective Jason Snider.

“What if the officer had stepped back and drew his gun and put three rounds in him? Which would have looked worse? I’ve gotten in plenty of fistfights over my career,” Hilliard added.

Marsh was convicted about 10 years ago in federal court of being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of firearms. He got an 18-month prison term and then 3 years of supervised release, with his court supervision expiring in 2010, according to court records.

In that case, Marsh had been alleged to have unlawfully possessed six rifles and seven handguns in March 2005. Marsh’s lawyer had contended the defendant possessed the guns for lawful sporting purposes.

Shawn Morgan, the assistant U.S. attorney at the time who prosecuted the case, had argued against that.

“The relevant surrounding circumstances of his possession remain troubling,” she wrote. “ ... police officers found two (2) of the handguns (the Taurus and Glock pistols) and the black nylon case (with the two (2) firearms and two (2) loaded magazines in it) in the living room. Notably, these items were in close proximity to drugs (marijuana) and drug usage paraphernalia found on the floor in that room. The officers also located and photographed a loaded Leinad pistol from defendant’s gun cabinet.

Marsh also in March 2005 allegedly accused the commander of the Greater Harrison Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force “of having the devil dancing at the end of his nose.” Later, Marsh said he had thought that “because the meth he was smoking was ‘dirty’ and caused things like that to happen,” according to a court filing in 2006 by Morgan.

Marsh was charged with two counts of assault in connection with the alleged June 7 incident; one count of making a terroristic threat in connection with the alleged GoMart incident; and four counts of resisting arrest and one count of failure to provide fingerprints in connection with the alleged incident near Pet Supplies Plus.

The criminal complaint in the alleged incident near Pet Supplies Plus contends a deputy was attempting to serve Marsh with an outstanding warrant about 11:11 a.m. Friday. The deputy called for backup.

The arrest of Marsh started with a Clarksburg officer ordering Marsh out of his vehicle, according to the complaint. Marsh complied with that order, but “then refused verbal commands to put his hands up and get on the ground,” the complaint alleges.

“Mr. Marsh refused, and I attempted to go hands on and put his hands behind his back,” the complaint alleges. “Mr. Marsh then physically resisted and refused to put his hands behind his back. I then leg swept ... Mr. Marsh and took him to the ground.

“On the ground, (the deputy) and I were attempting to handcuff Mr. Marsh when we saw multiple knives on Mr. Marsh’s belt and in his pockets,” the complaint alleges. “While attempting to arrest Mr. Marsh, I disengaged and drew my Taser. Mr. Marsh was then Tased. Two more units then arrived on scene and ... assisted in taking Mr. Marsh into custody. Mr. Marsh also resisted with both of those officers.”

Marsh also refused to give his fingerprints at the Clarksburg Police Department, the complaint alleges.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant to obtain two vials of blood from Marsh as they investigate further, according to Snider and Webber. The defendant had driven to the scene, according to Snider and Webber.

In addition to Clarksburg officers and the Harrison deputy, a DNR police officer also was on scene, according to Hilliard.

The Taser cartridges also were taken into evidence, according to Snider. Hilliard said law enforcement will investigate to try to determine why the Taser wasn’t effective.

Marsh’s bond was set at $30,000. He indicated he wanted to hire an attorney, but there was no notice from one yet in the case file Monday.