A Smithville man who allegedly opened fire on Smith County deputies while guarding his marijuana patch has been charged with attempted murder.

The man, Steve F. Mabe, Jr., 44, has been indicted for trying to kill Sgt. Jimmy Gregory and Deputy Nick Campbell of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department in neighboring Carthage. The incident happened last October on Ward Hollow Road in the Brush Creek community.

According to reports, the lawmen were dispatched to investigate a suspicious person in the area. When they arrived they saw a Jeep pulling into a wooded area and went to investigate. At that point the officers saw a flash and heard a gunshot. The gunman ran into the woods, prompting the officers to call in their SWAT team to secure the area. When officers made entry into the woods, they found a working marijuana field. Moments later they heard movement and discovered Mabe hiding in the weeds, dressed in a Gillie Suit (camouflage).

A 9mm handgun fell out of his waistband as he was being taken into custody. Then officers also found drugs including Oxycodone and meth nearby, leading to additional drug possession charges against him. He was wanted both in DeKalb and Wilson counties at the time of the incident.

Along with facing 15 to 25 years in prison on each count if he is convicted of attempted murder, he has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, reckless endangerment, and possession of drugs and manufacture of marijuana.