Jul 6, 2015 2 min read

A South Franklin Township man was placed in Washington County jail on charges stemming from a disturbance involving his wife, father-in-law and a third person who was at their home Thursday.

Justin M. Mayernik, 29, of 47 Gayle Ave., was charged by state police with simple assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police were called to the home just after 5 p.m. for a report of a domestic dispute involving several family members. They were advised someone was armed with a knife. When police arrived, four people were seen leaving the mobile home and walking down the steps. They were ordered to the ground and detained.

Ashley Lynn Earley, Maynerik’s wife, told police her husband was out of control and off his medication when they fought over family issues. She picked up her cellphone and told him she was recording audio because of his aggressive nature, police said.

Mayernik allegedly became irate and started to threaten his wife as he tried to take the phone, then grabbed her when she tried to turn away. Earley’s father, John V. Earley Jr., tried to pull Mayernik off his daughter and fell during the struggle, police said. Earley continued to try to free his daughter from Mayernik’s grip, and Mayernik allegedly punched his father-in-law three times before the older man was able to get away.

Police said Mayernik also is accused of assaulting a third person, Edward St. Vincent, during the incident.

Mayernik then allegedly grabbed a serrated knife and threatened family members. Police said they confiscated several martial arts weapons that were found in the home, and also found drug paraphernalia.

Mayernik was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward and jailed on $25,000 bond. He is scheduled for a July 15 preliminary hearing before Ward.