Two Washington, Michigan, residents have been charged in relation to a firearm incident at the Berrien County Courthouse.

Husband and wife, Arnelda Dywayne Jackson, 40 and Molly Michiell Jackson, 37, entered the courthouse in St. Joseph at 8:45 a.m. May 30 for a hearing on a pending criminal case involving Arenlda. As they went through a security checkpoint, an x-ray machine discovered a firearm in Molly Jackson’s purse. When the firearm was detected, Arnelda Jackson is alleged to have grabbed the purse out of the x-ray machine and run out of the building. Molly followed.

Court security deputies stationed at the entrance of the courthouse called additional courthouse deputies and bailiffs to the scene. A Berrien County Deputy apprehended Arenlda in the parking lot, finding the firearm several feet away and the purse discarded near a car. A courthouse bailiff secured Molly.

As a result of the investigation, Arnelda was charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon (on person), Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, both with five year maximum sentences; Tampering with Evidence, carrying a four year maximum sentence; Resisting and Obstructing an Officer, carrying a two year maximum sentence; and Felony Firearm, a mandatory two year consecutive sentence. 

Molly has been charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon (on person), Carrying a Concealed Weapon (in car), both five year maximum sentences; Tampering with Evidence, a four year maximum sentences; Resisting and Obstructing an Officer, a two year maximum sentence; and Felony Firearm, a mandatory two year consecutive sentence.

At their arraignment Monday, bonds were set at $100,000 cash or surety for Arnelda and $400,000 cash or surety for Molly.  A preliminary exam conference and preliminary exam hearing date for both are set for 8:30 a.m. June 9 and 8:30 a.m. June 15, respectively.

The criminal case set for preliminary exam on the morning of May 30 for Arnelda was on a charge of Possession of Counterfeit Money, carrying a five year maximum sentence.  That charge was delayed until June 1 and was bound over for trial after testimony.  A trial date for that charge is set for August 1, 2017.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department investigated this incident with assistance from St. Joseph Department of Public Safety.