Cannon man indicted for allegedly assaulting police during investigation

A Cannon man, who allegedly got into an altercation with police during a domestic disturbance investigation in January, was among four people indicted late last month by a Knox County grand jury.

Andrew Steven Cox, 31, was named in a five-count indictment Feb. 24 on charges of resisting arrest, attempting to disarm a peace officer, first-degree persistent felony offender and two counts of third-degree assault.

According to published reports, on Jan. 24, deputies with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic dispute complaint at a Valentine Branch Road residence in the Cannon community. Upon arrival at the residence, Cox’s parents allegedly told deputies that Cox was out of control and had locked himself in the bathroom and had attempted to flood it.

Deputies had forced open the bathroom door when Cox allegedly attacked the deputies and attempted to remove a taser from one of their holsters. As the altercation continued, Cox allegedly threw a piece of wood from the bathroom door at one of the deputies.

Following a brief struggle, deputies were able to restrain Cox and place him under arrest.

Upon arriving at the Knox County Detention Center, Cox was placed in a restraining chair before allegedly spitting at deputies and biting one of them.

Cox currently remains jailed in the Knox County Detention Center.

An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury; it is not a conviction or an admission of guilt.

Others indicted Feb. 24 and their charges include:

• Thomas Wayne Gray, 42, of Flat Lick: operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants – fourth or subsequent offense, first-degree fleeing or evading police, driving a motor vehicle while license is revoked or suspended for driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to wear a seat belt, second-degree persistent felony offender.
• Preston Allen Messer, 41, of Lily: first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first-degree fleeing or evading police, failure to signal, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants – third offense, reckless driving, resisting arrest, first-degree persistent felony offender.
• Anthony W. Smith, 43, of Flat Lick: first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia.