MAGOFFIN WOMAN RAN ONE OFFICER OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO RUN OVER ANOTHER 

HAGER HILL – A Salyersville woman is in jail, charged with attempted murder of a police officer. 

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Saylor told Mortimer Media Group that one of his deputies made a traffic stop at approximately 6:45 p.m. on March 20, but before he could make contact with the driver, the vehicle tried to get away, leading to a multi-county police chase.

“As he ran the tag and started to exit the vehicle, the subjects fled the scene,” Saylor said. “They went up Middle Fork, across Coleman Branch, at a high rate of speed, at one point reached as high as 85 miles per hour.”

Saylor told MMG the vehicle turned onto 1750, entering into Floyd County.

“Deputies were still in pursuit of the vehicle and had them in sight,” Saylor said. “Once they got to the end of 1750 in Floyd County, they turned right back toward the 114 area. I think that’s State Road Fork, from what I’ve been told from the deputies.”

At the head of a small road just before meeting back up with KY 114, the three occupants of the vehicle initiated a foot pursuit. The two males, who have not been identified, reportedly hit the hill and have not been found.

The female, identified as Jessica R. Minix, 29, of Salyersville, made it back to the vehicle, exited the hollow, attempting to run over one deputy that was still on foot, and another in a vehicle that she ran off the road to avoid a collision. 

Saylor said both deputies had to react quickly to narrowly avoid contact with the vehicle Minix was driving.

Once deputies were able to make contact with Minix, they found large quantities and varieties of drugs in her possession. In total, Minix was arrested on 15 charges from that night, as well as on three outstanding warrants. 

Saylor told MMG he took the attempted murder charge seriously.

“Any time on of my deputies is put in grave danger, we’re going to prosecute to the fullest extent we have within our capability,” Saylor said. “From my understanding, it was very close. It was a split-second decision on his part, which I am thankful he made, of course. In conjunction with that the other deputy that was put in danger, made a fast decision to avoid collision with her also. 

The Johnson County Sheriff Department deputies were assisted by the Floyd County Sheriff Department, Magoffin County Sheriff Department, Prestonsburg City Police, Salyersville City Police and Kentucky State Police. 

According to jail records, Minix is facing the following charges: operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license; first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine); first-degree possession of a controlled substance , first offense (opiates); second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified); buying or possessing drug paraphernalia; first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense (less than two grams of methamphetamine); three counts of contempt of court; first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle); first-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot); reckless driving; first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer); attempted murder (police officer); failure to register transfer of motor vehicle; no registration plates; registration and title requirements vehicle not operated on highway; and failure of owner to maintain required insurance, first offense.

Early on March 25, Kentucky State Police responded to a complaint of a suspicious person around a residence on Coon Creek, finding and inevitably arresting David M. Tackett, 31, of Whitehouse, for public intoxication (excluding alcohol), third-degree criminal trespassing and giving an officer false identifying information. 

JCSO confirmed to Mortimer Media Group they will be presenting a case against Tackett, now in custody on the unrelated Coon Creek case, to the grand jury, noting they believe he was one of the men that fled during the multi-county March 20 police chase. 

Another suspect, whose name has not been released, is still under investigation and charges are expected.

At press time, Minix and Tackett are still being held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. 

By Heather Oney
The Salyersville Independent