Published: July 17, 2008 09:02 pm         

Hubbard shot in Sequatchie County

Never showed up for Teen Challenge program

A Cumberland County man who in March got a sweetheart deal from the court system but failed to live up to his side of the bargain was shot this week in Sequatchie County after a confrontation with the sheriff and a deputy and a short chase. His wound was not life threatening and now he faces major felony charges in that county in addition to a probation violation on the drug charges in this county.

Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. Sequatchie County Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock and an unnamed deputy conducted a stop on Ronald Dexter Hubbard, 34, whose last known address was listed on Midway Rd.

The officers were trying to serve a violation of probation warrant on Hubbard who they said was not being cooperative. Since the warrant related to methamphetamine associated charges, the sheriff and the deputy asked for permission to search Hubbard's vehicle, which was in that county's Justice Center parking lot, and were denied.

Instead, Hitchcock told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Hubbard jumped into his vehicle and tried to speed away. Hitchcock said when Hubbard slowed for another vehicle, he took his service revolver and from a distance of about one foot, fired a round into a rear tire on Hubbard's vehicle, deflating the tire.

After a short chase, Hubbard allegedly jumped from the car and ran into the woods along Fredonia Rd. in Sequatchie County. Deputies called for Hubbard to "show his hands" and surrender, but, "he turned around like he had a weapon and one of the officers fired on him," Hitchcock said.

Hubbard was taken to Erlanger Medical Center and later released with a grazing wound.

The officer involved in the shooting was not identified and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. As a matter of policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

TBI Spokeswoman Kristin Helm told the Times-Free Press Wednesday that, "Shot(s) were fired; how many, where and by whom are still under investigation."

In March of this year, Hubbard appeared before Cumberland County Criminal Court on a host of charges and entered guilty pleas to promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine, for which he received a four-year suspended sentence, and attempt to possess meth with intent to sell and received a six-year suspended sentence. The two sentence were to run concurrent for a total of six years.

The two sentences were suspended, however, with the understanding that Hubbard would attend and successfully complete the Teen Challenge program. Local authorities state, however, Hubbard never showed up for the program and a probation violation warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hubbard is also the man who authorities said led Deputy Sean Millikin on a high-speed chase on Hwy. 70 E, east of Crab Orchard, that ended when Hubbard jumped out of his vehicle which traveled down a steep ravine, almost hitting the fleeing suspect in the process.

That incident sparked a massive manhunt but Hubbard was able to elude authorities on that day.

In Sequatchie County, Hubbard is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest and felony possession of a schedule II drug. He is being held without bond pending an appearance in Sequatchie County General Sessions Court.

It remains unknown when he will be allowed to return to Cumberland County to face the probation revocation hearing.