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Last updated on Thursday, August 9, 2012
(SALEM) - A Salem man who called police to report an intruder was arrested after he commented on the situation on his Facebook page.
Stephanie Taylor Ferriell of the Leader-Democrat reports that Carl M. "Matt" Tabor, 33, 2176 S. South Boston-Pekin Rd., was arrested July 31, said Deputy Ryan Larrimore of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. Tabor is charged with criminal recklessness, a D felony, and pointing a firearm, an A misdemeanor.
The incident occurred late the night of July 28 when Tabor called 911 to report an altercation involving a person at the home across the street. When Larrimore arrived, he first went to that residence, 2157 S. South Boston-Pekin Rd., because there were about 100 cars parked there. The homeowner's daughter, who lives in Louisville, was holding a birthday party. Because alcohol was present, Larrimore checked IDs and found they all were of legal drinking age. He said the party was under control. He asked about a person allegedly being battered and was told the man had left.
Larrimore then went to the Tabor residence where Matt and his wife and step-daughter were sitting on the front deck. Tabor told him the intruder had busted in his door saying he had been beat up. He told Larrimore the man, and about 30 cars in all, had left headed eastbound. When Larrimore questioned that because he had traveled that direction and hadn't passed any vehicles, Tabor became irate. Larrimore said Tabor and his wife began arguing with him, telling him he needed to arrest everyone at the party. Tabor told Larrimore: "(Expletive) you, if you're not gonna do your job, I'll do it for you."
Larrimore said Tabor then walked to the edge of the deck and picked up a rifle, which Larrimore initially believed to be a paintball gun. He said Tabor pointed the gun at one of the people from the party next door who had come out to the driveway. Larrimore said he then spotted a magazine that matches that of an AR15 assault rifle and realized the gun was indeed real.
He directed Tabor to drop the gun, but he failed to do so, only complying after the fourth command. Tabor said he had a right to defend his home Larrimore said he explained to Tabor that deadly force is allowable by law only to protect one's life, not property. Larrimore noted that when Tabor pointed the gun at an innocent person, refusing to drop it, he was authorized to use deadly force.
After the situation cooled off, Larrimore left, deciding not to arrest Tabor. That changed when Tabor began posting deragatory comments on Facebook, including, "I'll be (expletive) if I'll ever put my gun down for a cop."
Larrimore obtained a search warrant and the state police assisted in serving it. Officers recovered a computer, phones and eight guns from the residence.
Tabor posted bond the day of his arrest and was released.
Tabor's case will be heard in Washington Superior Court.
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