W’burg man charged with attempting to run from deputy on stolen motorcycle pleads guilty

A Williamsburg man pleaded guilty Monday to numerous charges he incurred while attempting to flee from Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies on a stolen motorcycle, but he can avoid further jail time if he stay out of legal trouble for the next two years.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jonny Mullis, Jr., who was arrested May 17 following a short pursuit in the Canadatown area, pleaded guilty to charges of no insurance, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, driving on a suspended/revoked operator’s license, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and resisting arrest. In addition, Mullis pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, second-degree possession of a controlled substance, theft by unlawful taking of an auto valued under $500.

In return for the guilty plea, District Court Judge Cathy Prewitt suspended Mullis’ driver’s license for 90 days and sentenced him to 30 days in jail, ordering him to serve six days with the balance conditionally discharged.

If Mullis is found guilty of another criminal offense within the two years, he faces 90 days in jail on the fleeing or evading, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest charges, one year on the auto theft, six months on the drug possession and 30 days on the driving on a suspended/revoked license charge.

As part of the plea agreement, the remaining charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, theft by unlawful taking of a firearm and theft by unlawful taking of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000 were dismissed.

Officials with the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department said the incident began about 5 p.m. when Ryan Mount of Corbin called to complain that a motorcycle, firearm and other personal belongings had been stolen from his residence on Akins Lane in Corbin.

A witness reported seeing an individual, who was identified as Mullis, leaving the residence on the motorcycle with a duffle bag belonging to the victim.

Deputy James Fox was conducting an investigation when he received a tip that Mullis was possibly in the Canadatown area.

“While enroute to a known address, Fox observed the offender on the motorcycle matching the description of the one stolen earlier,” officials with the sheriff’s department said. “Fox initiated a traffic stop on the motorcycle and Mullis refused to stop and tried to go through a nearby yard where Mulls dropped the motorcycle and after a brief struggle was subdued and taken into custody by Fox.”

Fox reported finding a loaded .45-caliber handgun tucked inside the back of Mullis’ waistband.

In addition, Mullis reportedly had in his possession unspecified controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.