Gray man indicted for assault

A Gray man was indicted Friday on assault and wanton endangerment charges stemming from a wreck on May 20 during which he was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs when his vehicle struck another.

According to West Knox firefighters the wreck occurred just after 11 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 25E and Lynn Camp School Road.

A Knox County grand jury indicted 37-year-old Jeffery Wagers, Jr. on charges of second-degree assault, four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and tampering with physical evidence.

According to the indictment, the wreck resulted in the injury of one person and endangered the lives of four others who were in the other vehicle.

Wagers allegedly had in his possession a quantity of methamphetamine at the time of the crash.

Wagers pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday in Knox Circuit Court.

Wagers is scheduled to return to court November 29 for a pretrial conference.

Under Kentucky law, second-degree assault is a Class C felony carrying a potential prison sentence of five to ten years.

Judge Greg Lay is presiding over the case.

The grand jury also returned the following indictment:

• James McDonald, 25, of Corbin, theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000
• Curtis Lewis, 34, of Corbin, theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000 and first-degree persistent felony offender.

According to the indictment, McDonald and Lewis are accused of taking tools, a trailer and other items of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000 owned by Adam Flood on September 18.

Lewis has four prior felony convictions on his record for charges including receiving stolen property of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000 in Knox County in 2014, receiving stolen property of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000 in Laurel County in 2011, theft by unlawful taking in Laurel County in 2011, and first-degree fleeing or evading police in Laurel County in 2003.