Press release
Though on the trial docket and set for announcement, James Sean Ricks acknowledged his guilt in Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle and entered into a plea bargain this past Monday morning. The 45-year-old, who had been residing in Athens, will serve 14 years in prison for committing the offense.
Assistant District Attorney Justin Weiner prosecuted the case on behalf of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office. Ricks was sentenced in the 173rd Judicial District Court with Judge Dan Moore presiding.
Ricks was indicted by a Henderson County Grand Jury after an incident on March 17, 2015, when at 12:50 a.m., Officer Roger Keith of the Athens Police Department, observed a blue Ford SUV failing to signal a turn when the vehicle turned off of Valle Vista Drive onto Aaron Street. Officer Keith activated his overhead emergency lights and siren as he followed the vehicle onto College Street. Though the vehicle didn’t reach an extremely high rate of speed, it failed to pull over or yield. When the vehicle approached the dead end of McGee Street, Ricks jumped out of the vehicle and ran on foot towards the woods.
A short manhunt ensued involving multiple officers from Athens Police Department. Sergeant Jason Bosher was able to apprehend Ricks who was continuing to evade the officers in the woods. Ricks was booked into the Henderson County Jail for Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle and for having an outstanding Parole Warrant.
After the plea, Weiner said, “We should all be proud of the hardwork of the Officers at the Athens Police Department. They were able to safety and efficently bring a wanted fugitive to justice. This is a situaion could have been much worse but for their excellent police work and care for our community’s safety.”
Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee praised the work of the officers involved in capturing a wanted fugitive and hopes this sends a message to other fugitives from justice.
“If you have a felony warrant, we are going to catch up with you,” he said.