Liberty County (November 20, 2022) – Walthourville Police arrested a 25-year-old man for causing severe damage to his home and stalking his wife and children while he was already on probation for a similar incident. He told his wife his bond conditions were “just paper.”
Jonathan Tyler Machold was charged with aggravated stalking and criminal damage to property after his wife called 911, saying her husband became violent and damaged their home during an argument over another woman being in his car. According to the police report, Machold, who is 6’4″, shoved his wife’s face, knocking her onto their bed while holding their infant.
She began packing items into the car so she and the children could safely flee. That is when Machold began breaking things inside the home. She told police the first time she tried to call for help, Machold forcefully pried her phone from her hands and threatened her, saying he would give police a real reason to arrest him if she called.
Machold’s wife contacted his chain of command instead, and a supervisor was sent to pick him up and remove him from the home. After contacting his supervisor, Machold’s wife said he began smashing their baby’s car seat onto the driveway while packing his belongings into the family car. Once her husband was gone, she was able to call 911.
Officers who arrived at the scene noted a broken stool outside of the home and significant damage inside. Included in the damage were holes in the walls from previous incidents where Machold was arrested. Paintings were used to cover those holes. The service member’s wife told the police he broke his hand while punching holes in the walls during another recent outburst. Officers confirmed Machold violated his probation from the previous arrest.
Damage from Machold’s most recent outburst included cracked door frames, a smashed television screen, and a broken closet door.
Walthourville police called Machold’s 1st Sergeant and asked them to return the man to his home, where he was arrested. In their report, the officers noted his bandaged hand, reportedly from a prior domestic incident.
Machold was released on bond on November 23 under the condition that he have no contact with his wife and only return to the home with a law enforcement escort.
Machold’s former case is also pending. On September 14, he was charged with family violence, cruelty to children, and criminal damage to property. Both cases are currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Sunday November 20th, 2022, at approximately 1730 hours central dispatch notified me of a domestic at [100 BLOCK] Kyle Ln. Central advised the suspect had left the scene and the complainant wanted to file a report.
I arrived at approximately 1732 hours and noticed a wooden dining room stool smashed in the front yard. I proceeded to make contact with the complainant and victim [VICTIM #1]. Ms. [VICTIM #1] had visible tears running from her eyes and had an infant in her arms. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised me that her husband, Jonathan Machold, and she got into a verbal argument at approximately 1600 hours Sunday November 20, 2022, regarding Mr. Machold having another female in his car. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised Mr. Machold then claimed he was done with her and walked up to Ms. [VICTIM #1] while she was holding her infant child and pushed her on the face, forcing her to fall on the bed. Ms. [VICTIM #1] then began packing her things immediately in fear for he and her children’s safety.
While Ms. [VICTIM #1] was transporting her items to her car, Mr. Machold went into their bedroom, and she began to hear what appeared to be Mr. Machold smashing property in the bedroom. Mr. Machold then came into the dining area and smashed a chair breaking the wooden legs in the dining area. Ms. [VICTIM #1] began to get scared for her and her children’s safety and attempted to call 911. Mr. Machold then grabbed Ms. [VICTIM #1] from behind prying her phone from her hands and canceled the call and advised her “If you call the cops, I am going to give them a real reason to arrest me”.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] then contacted 1st Sergeant Anderson, one of Mr. Machold’s supervisors. 1st Sergeant Anderson sent Mr. Machold’s immediate supervisor to pick him up and remove him from the premises. While waiting for the supervisor to pick Mr. Machold up, Mr. Machold began packing his things and moving them to their vehicle when Ms. [VICTIM #1] observed Mr. Machold begin to smash their child’s car seat outside in the driveway. Mr. Machold was finally picked up by his supervisor in a silver car and she did not know where he went. At that time Ms. [VICTIM #1] felt safe enough to contact 911 dispatch. When Ms. [VICTIM #1] returned to the bedroom, she discovered the closet door severely damaged, the television screen smashed, and door frames cracked as a result of Mr. Machold’s fit of rage.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] allowed me into the home where I observed multiple holes and damage inside of the home which she advised were reported (case number WPD22093298). I observed two large holes in the wall in the hallway covered by a painting which Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised Mr. Machold did prior to this incident. Ms. [VICTIM #1] informed me during that incident Mr. Machold was arrested and charges were still pending. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised me following incident WPD22093298, Mr. Machold returned home and told her that his bond restrictions were just paper and that he was allowed to be at the premises, hence her fear of contacting 911 while Mr. Machold was present during this incident.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] brought me to the back bedroom where I observed a flatscreen television with a smashed screen, and closet door damaged beyond use, as well as what appeared to be cracks in the door frames of the bedroom and bathroom door and trim surrounding them from someone slamming doors forcefully. Ms. [VICTIM #1] advised me that Mr. Machold had broken his hand previously from damaging the home shortly before this incident. Ms. [VICTIM #1] gave me the contact information for Mr. Machold’s 1st Sergeant also.
I placed a call to Lt Hooker (Badge 402) and briefed him of the situation. Lt Hooker then advised me after he had checked with Liberty County Jail that Mr. Machold violated his bond in reference to Case WPD22093298 and that I could charge Mr. Machold with Aggravated Stalking and Criminal damage to property. I contacted 1st Sergeant Anderson at the number Ms. [VICTIM #1] provided and advised him that I needed Mr. Machold be brought back to the premises. 1st Sergeant Anderson informed he that he and Mr. Machold’s supervisor would be enroute.
At approximately 1830 hours Sunday November 20th, 2022, Mr. Machold arrived back to [100 BLOCK] Kyle Ln. When I asked Mr. Machold to exit the vehicle, I noticed one of his hands appeared to be injured and had tape wrapped around two of his fingers. I instructed Mr. Machold to turn around and place his hands behind his back and informed him that he was under arrest for aggravated stalking and criminal damage to property. Mr. Machold was placed in the back of my patrol car and was transported and released to Liberty County Jail.
Ms. [VICTIM #1] was given a case number and instructions how to get a copy of the report.
Photos of the scene are attached to this report
[End of Narrative]
