Milan man held at gunpoint after illegally entering home

Johnnie R. Smith

Mark Taylor of Milan, didn’t waste any time in getting home when he got a call from his wife last Wednesday, August 20.

Mark pulled up to his house, blocking another truck that was in the driveway and jumped out commanding that the intruder inside his home identify himself. Johnnie R. Smith, also of Milan, was held by Mark at gunpoint until the police arrived after Smith was found inside the Taylor residence (garage).

Smith was booked into the Ripley County Jail on initial charges of Residential Entry, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. His attorney is John Dorenbusch who represented him last week in the Ripley County Circuit Court. Smith was given a $5,000 cash bond and ordered to have no contact with the victim(s). A pre-trial hearing has been set for October 1 with a trial by jury on December 16.

Mark said he never thought about having to pull his weapon but had the expertise to do so if needed. About 11 years ago he went through training to be able to have a permit in Wisconsin, where he lived at the time. He told The Versailles Republican, “I reacted exactly as I had been trained.” Police who came to the scene told him he handled himself great. His aggressive stance, pointing the gun and pummeling the perpetrator with rapid fire questions were all part of his training.

Admitting he wasn’t as calm on the inside, Mark noted that his main concern was his wife, Lisa, then he was thinking, “What on earth is this guy doing in my garage?” At the time when Mark pulled up, Smith was checking out tools and golf equipment in the Taylor’s garage.

Mark said he’s usually a calm guy, writing insurance policies for Assured Partners and owning his own business – Taylor Mahoney Interiors – where he works to help people get the results they desire for their lifestyle. Pulling a gun on someone never entered his mind.

“I can’t tell you how great our police force is,” he noted, saying Major Lee Davidson arrived first, followed by Jonathan Day with the sheriff’s office, ISP Trooper Jordan Hartmann and an officer from the Milan Department. Paramedics were sent as well with Smith saying he was a diabetic, which Mark says was not the case.

What the bottom line is for the Taylors – while we do live in a rural area with lots of great people, there is always room for someone who means to do harm to others. “We have to be ready, vigilant and watch out for each other,” Mark concluded.

The situation could have ended so different, according to Mark who was just thankful he was in the area (within a mile of his home when his wife called him). He was thankful he had a friend with him, Chad Meyer, and thankful for the exceptional response of first responders.

Editor’s Note: The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.