MOUNT VERNON — Judge Otho Eyster sentenced four defendants in felony cases, on Friday. According to Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Joshua T. Baldridge, 18, Mount Vernon, was convicted of multiple felony charges for striking a Danville Police Officer with his car while fleeing from police and sentenced to four years in prison. Baldridge was convicted of a first degree felony charge of assaulting a peace officer, fleeing and eluding, breaking and entering and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Thatcher said at about 5:00 a.m. on May 19, 2013, Baldridge broke into two Mount Vernon businesses. At about 5:30 a.m., he ran from Mount Vernon Police officers. A high speed chase ensued to Millwood where Officer Chad Lishness was deploying spike strips on the roadway, attempting to stop the pursuit in the safest manner possible. At about 6:15 a.m., Baldridge swerved left of center to avoid the spike strips, and then swerved again striking the officer with his vehicle. Baldridge continued driving eastbound on U.S. Route 36 until the pursuing officers lost contact with him near State Route 715. At about 8:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office located Baldridge in a stolen car south of Mount Vernon, and then chased him to Centerburg where he lost control and crashed into parked cars on East Main Street. Officer Lishness was treated and released from the hospital later the same week. Detective Craig Feeney lead the investigation assisted by numerous detectives, officers, deputies and troopers with the Mount Vernon Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and State Highway Patrol.
James R. Lacoy, 37, Fredericktown, was convicted of charges of illegal manufactures of drugs, possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs and child endangering. Lacoy was sentenced to three years in prison. Thatcher said on July 26, 2013, when the Fredericktown Police Department executed a search warrant at Lacoy’s trailer they found evidence of a recent “meth cook.” Officers also found a three year old child in the trailer. A hair follicle test done later on the child was positive for methamphetamine. Patrolman Kyle Johnson investigated the case.
Jason W. Davis, 21, Fredericktown, was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15 year old girl on multiple occasions between June and September 2013. Davis was sentenced to suspended 15 month prison term and a three year term of community control supervision. Thatcher said Davis served 108 days in jail while the case was pending. Classified as a Tier II Sex Offender, Davis must register his address with authorities for the next 25 years. Detective Dan Bobo, KCSO, investigated the Wears and Davis cases.
William A. Lemaster, 42, Centerburg, was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol for the sixth time in the past twenty years and sentenced to 180 days in jail and a suspended 17 month prison term. Lemaster was also fined $1,350.00, and his driver’s license was suspended for five years. Lemaster was arrested by Deputy Brandon Minot, KCSO, after he failed field sobriety tests during a traffic stop, on January 22, 2013.
