Grand Jury Meets in Special Session – Indicts Darren Price on Multiple Charges, Clears Fredericktown Patrolman in Shooting

 

(MOUNT VERNON) – The Knox County Grand Jury met in special session on Tuesday to consider charges arising out of a June 17 traffic stop of Darren Price by Fredericktown Police Ptl. Josh Jones, where Jones fired his duty weapon at Price.

The Grand Jury indicted Darren Price on four counts: having weapons under disability a felony of the third degree; failure to obey the order of signal of a police officer, a felony of the third degree; improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, a felony of the fourth degree and tampering with evidence, a felony of the third degree.

It is alleged that when Price was pulled over by Ptl. Jones, he had a .25 caliber pistol in the vehicle and aimed the pistol at Jones as Jones approached the vehicle.  Jones, believing he was about to be shot, took evasive action and fired several shots at Price’s vehicle.  Price allegedly sped away from the scene and led Ptl. Jones on a pursuit on Fredericktown-Amity Road at speeds in excess of 100 mph, eventually escaping from the area.

Price has prior felony convictions that prevent him from legally possessing a firearm.  Price allegedly discarded the firearm after the traffic stop incident.

According to Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville, the grand jury found that Ptl. Jones’ use of deadly force during the incident was self-defense and cleared Jones of any wrongdoing.

Price was arraigned on Wednesday, with Judge Wetzel setting bond at $500,000.

Prosecutor McConville stated that the investigation was ongoing, and that additional charges could be filed as more facts come to light.  The investigation of the incident is being conducted by agents of Ohio BCI and detectives from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Information courtesy of the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office