11 indicted in Highland County grand jury's November session
A Lynchburg man facing two third-degree felony charges was among the 11 individuals indicted by a Highland County grand jury in their Tuesday, Nov. 4 session.
James Pagett Jr., 30, of Lynchburg was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and tampering with evidence, both third-degree felonies. Both charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred on or about July 15.
It is alleged that Pagett “did operate a motor vehicle … so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring [his] motor vehicle to stop.” The indictment alleges that “the operation of the motor vehicle caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.”
Pagett is further accused of “altering, destroying, concealing or removing any record, document or thing with purpose to impair its value or availability as evidence” in an “official proceeding or investigation.”
In other indictments:
• Charles Bender, 53, of Bainbridge was charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. The incident is alleged to have occurred on or about Sept. 14.
• Jonathan Knauff, 50, and Todd Ray Routte Jr., 33, both of Bainbridge, were charged in a joint indictment. Knauff and Routte were both charged with breaking and entering, theft and possessing criminal tools, all fifth-degree felonies. Knauff was also charged separately with two counts of aggravated possession of drugs and one count of possession of cocaine, all of which are also fifth-degree felonies.
It is alleged that on or about Sept. 23, Knauff and Routte “did trespass on the land or premises” of a victim. They are accused of “knowingly obtaining or exerting control over” logs, while they are further accused of possessing “chain saws, pulleys and other miscellaneous items with the purpose of using [them] criminally in the possession of a felony.”
On the same date, Knauff is alleged to have “knowingly obtained, possessed or used” oxycodone, hydrocodone and cocaine.
• Jeremy Cooper, 47, of Bainbridge was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
• Jacob Hyden, 40, of Hillsboro was charged with aggravated possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.
• Travis Keeton, 51, of Bainbridge was charged with passing bad checks, a fifth-degree felony.
• Paul Ross, 42, of Dayton was charged with possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.
In addition to the above-listed indictments, there were three sealed (secret) cases, according to Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins.
An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.
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