Oskaloosa Police Officer Arrested In Connection With Alleged Domestic Incident

Janay Pritchett (Mahaska County Jail)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa Police Officer Janay Pritchett was arrested the morning of May 4th, 2018 and charged with Harassment – 1st Degree, and Domestic Abuse Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office.

In court documents obtained by Oskaloosa News, it says;

“On Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 at approximately 11:40 pm, the defendant did cut her girlfriend, Karissa Smith, on the left side of the neck with a small folding pocket knife. The Defendant and Smith were in a verbal argument over comments made by the Defendant’s mother and Smith. Both Smith and the Defendant stated Smith looked at the Defendants phone to see who the Defendant was talking to at that time. Smith stated the Defendant kicked her in the chest. Smith stated the Defendant pulled out a small grey pocket knife that Smith had bought the Defendant, and the Defendant put the knife to the left side of Smith’s neck. This caused a small cut on the left side of Smith’s neck. Smith stated the Defendant then stated she didn’t do that and put the knife away. Smith stated the Defendant told her she was going to kill Smith and ran to her closet where she keeps an unloaded shotgun. Smith stated she physically stopped her from getting the gun as Smith was scared for her life. Smith stated she also stopped the Defendant from leaving the residence because the Defendant had been drinking and Smith didn’t want her to drive. The Defendant left the residence with a friend that came to pick her up. Smith left the residence at that time and came to the Mahaska County Law Center to report what had happened. The Defendant stated she didn’t cut Smith and didn’t pull out a knife. The Defendant stated the incident was physical with both parties pushing, grabbing, and wrestling. The Defendant stated Smith wouldn’t let her leave the residence and took her phone from her. The Defendant stated she had an injury to her back from being pushed down and wanted Smith arrested also.”

Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem said Pritchett was taken into custody at approximately 3:40 am on Thursday morning at 1302 High Avenue West in Oskaloosa and wasn’t on duty as a police officer at that time.

Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee said that Pritchett is on paid administrative leave at this time.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the subject is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.