Cops: Man fled, crashed

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A Lynchburg man who allegedly fled police then swung at an officer after crashing his vehilce is facing a total of seven charges following an incident Thursday night.

An affidavit filed with the Hillsboro Municipal Court stated that shortly before 11 p.m., an officer with the Lynchburg Police Department “was attempting to make a traffic stop” on Joseph Houk Jr., 55.

The officer reported that Houk “failed to stop for me and moments later crashed his vehicle,” according to the affidavit.

Houk was then reportedly ordered several times to exit the vehicle. He refused the commands and “was throwing his left arm to attempt to strike (the officer),” the affidavit states.

The affidavit added that Houk was also allegedly “digging in the console” of his vehicle. The officer reported finding two knives there.

The officer added that he and another officer “had to physically remove … Houk from the vehicle and force his hands behind his back.”

Houk appeared on multiple charges in municipal court Friday.

According to court records, those charges include: first-degree misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), first-degree misdemeanor failure to comply with a police officer, second-degree misdemeanor resisting arrest, and fourth-degree misdemeanor reckless operation. He is also charged with minor misdemeanor traffic violations for failing to obey a stop sign, not wearing a seatbelt, and speeding. Records added that Houk was allegedly traveling 90 mph in a 35 mph zone.

A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Pretrials for Houk’s cases are scheduled for next month.

A $5,000 bond was set on a possible probation violation. Records show that Houk was convicted of fourth-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct last year. If Houk posts that bond, he will be placed on electronic monitoring house arrest. He is prohibited from driving. Houk must also enroll in substance abuse counseling. He told the court that he is currently in counseling at the Talbert House.

Also on Friday, Dante Captain, 20, Hillsboro, appeared on a bench warrant that was issued last month. According to records, Captain failed to appear for a pretrial on a charge of first-degree misdemeanor underage consumption.

When asked, Captain told the court that he was arrested the day before when he appeared for a hearing in the Highland County Common Pleas Court.

Common pleas court records show that Captain was convicted of third-degree felony burglary in 2014. He was sentenced to three years of community control.

On Friday, Captain’s bond on his misdemeanor charge was set at $1,000. A pretrial is scheduled for next Friday.

An agreement was reached for Zachary Boone, 28, New Vienna. He pled guilty to fourth-degree misdemeanor reckless operation, which was amended and reduced from OVI. An accompanying charge for failing to drive in marked lanes was dismissed.

He told the court that he is currently enrolled in counseling and that he is “doing very well.”

A 30-day jail sentence was suspended on the condition that Boone complete his counseling and a three-day driver intervention program. He must pay a $250 fine.

Boone was also found guilty of a probation violation, for failing to obey the law and for violating a curfew imposed on a trespassing conviction earlier this year.

A five-day jail sentence is set for April. If Boone is complaint, he may not have to serve that time.

Also entering an agreement was Katie Rice, 30, Leesburg. The state agreed to treat one charge of driving on a suspension as a fourth-degree misdemeanor. A second charge of driving on a suspension was dismissed, as was a minor misdemeanor for improper backing.

Rice pled guilty to the fourth-degree misdemeanor, as well as to a charge of first-degree misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

In reviewing Rice’s record, the judge said she failed to appear on her charges in May. She was later arrested on a bench warrant, which was when she received her second driving on a suspension charge, the judge said.

He also said that Rice has “driving violations all over southern Ohio.”

“I am trying to get it taken care of,” she told the court.

The judge added that Rice has eight suspensions on her record.

A total of 210 days in jail and $1,250 in fines were suspended on her cases. Thirty of those days were suspended for “as long as the law allows me to,” the judge said, which is five years. A total of eight points will be added to Rice’s driving record.

She is scheduled for a review hearing in April. At that time, Rice must bring proof that she has either paid or is on a payment plan for restitution. She must also perform 100 hours of community service. Rice was placed on reporting probation.

In other cases:

• Wendall Lawhun, 37, Ripley, entered an agreement, pleading guilty to one count of first-degree misdemeanor theft. A second count was dismissed. A 180-day jail sentence was suspended, as was a $1,000 fine. Lawhun must perform 100 hours of community service. He is prohibited from having contact with Walmart or a reportedly involved party. Lawhun must pay $103.46 in restitution. He will be on reporting probation and under a curfew until the conditions are met.

• Robert Woodyard, 35, Hillsboro, pled guilty to second-degree misdemeanor attempting to purchase an illegal amount of pseudoephedrine. As per an agreement, a 90-day jail sentence and a $750 fine were both suspended on the condition that Woodyard complete his current after-care program and stay away from Walgreens. He was placed on reporting probation.

• A January court trial was scheduled for Taylor Anderson, 19, Hillsboro. He is charged with trespassing and attempted theft, first and second-degree misdemeanors, respectively.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.

Joseph Houk Jr. is pictured before Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna during his arraignment on Friday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/11/web1_JosephHouk.jpgJoseph Houk Jr. is pictured before Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge David H. McKenna during his arraignment on Friday. Sarah Allen|The Times-Gazette
55-year-old allegedly drove 90 mph, swung at officer

By Sarah Allen

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