The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office announces that Jared Nesmith, age 35, formerly of 103 Curry Street in the Village of Newark, has been indicted by a Wayne County Grand Jury on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Concealment of a Human Corpse, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

This matter stems from an investigation into the death of 49-year-old Conan Guard, whose remains were recovered along the Zurich Bog Trail in rural Wayne County, after information was provided to law enforcement that  a caller reported overhearing a conversation indicating  an individual had been killed and the body disposed of in the Sodus area. 

When the body of Nesmith’s roommate, 49-year-old Conan Guard was found, it was already in a state of decay. Guard had reportedly been stabbed to death with a knife.

District Attorney Christine K. Callanan stated, “The thorough and coordinated investigation conducted by the Newark Police Department and the New York State Police led directly to a timely indictment and allows this Office to move forward with a strong prosecution.”

Nesmith has an extensive criminal history involving past arrests. Nesmith is well known to area police agencies and no stranger to violent crimes.

On September 30, 2021, It is alleged Nesmith was infatuated with a female worker and began stalking her and her boyfriend over a period of time. After spotting the boyfriend waiting for a ride to work at the corner of East Union and North Clinton Streets early in the morning, it is alleged Nesmith began beating the man and choking him.

In that case, Nesmith was charged with Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, Strangulation in the Second Degree, Stalking in the Fourth Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree.

In April, State Police reported that  Nesmith unlawfully entered a victim’s residence in the Town of Arcadia. Nesmith was reportedly armed with a machete and made verbal threats toward the victim.

Nesmith was charged with: Burglary 1st (B Felony), Menacing 2nd (A Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd (D Felony). At that time, due to his felony criminal history, he was remanded to jail without bail.

In May of this year Nesmith went over to speak to the mother of his child and became irate. A neighbor then stepped in to defend the female and Nesmith punched him in the face. All of this occurred while Nesmith’s one-year old child was present. Nesmith was arrested for Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Harassment in the Second Degree, and Assault in the Third Degree.

In June of this year Nesmtih was charged with Felony Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Menacing in the Third Degree and Harassment in the Second Degree in another domestic incident. 

Mr. Nesmith was arraigned yesterday before the Honorable John Grow in Wayne County Court and was remanded without bail. The case has been adjourned to January 22, 2026 for motion arguments.