Repeat offender Jason Reed Farmer, age 32, of 121 Piper Road in Lexington, was sentenced this week in Lexington County to ten (10) years for Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature. Under the recent Domestic Violence Reform Act enacted by the South Carolina Legislature in 2015, this crime is classified as violent and will be served without parole.  Farmer was also sentenced this week to ten (10) years for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “Holding abusers accountable is the first step in protecting victims and diminishing these crimes within our community. Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of both adult and child victims of violence.” The prosecution of this case was handled by Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Bradley Pogue. Pogue stated, “The campaign against domestic violence remains a priority for our office. We hope this sends yet another message to abusers – these acts of violence will not be tolerated in the 11th Circuit.”

On July 5, 2016, near the 1600 block of Pelion Road in Gaston, Farmer used his Chevrolet Silverado as a weapon to endanger the lives of an adult female victim and her two young children, ages four and one. Both children were in a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by the victim when Farmer drove into her vehicle and forced her off the roadway and into a tree. The impact shattered the back glass of her vehicle. The victim was able to flee by driving towards Pelion on Pelion Road. Farmer followed, catching up with the victim and swerving his Silverado in front of her, causing her to strike his vehicle and then sending her Trailblazer into an embankment. Farmer then approached her vehicle on foot with a knife in his hand. After the victim refused to allow him entry, Farmer returned to his vehicle and once again drove into the victim’s Trailblazer on the driver’s side. Both children were restrained in the Trailblazer with child safety seats. Farmer then fled the scene. The incident was observed by several witnesses at the scene.

Farmer’s prior record includes a felony conviction for domestic violence in 2016. He also has previous convictions for cruelty to children and possession of a sawed off shotgun.

The domestic violence investigation was conducted by Detective Brandon Miller of the Lexington County Sheriff's Department and the drug charge was investigated by the Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Farmer has been transferred to the S. C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of his sentence.