A Clinton County Jail inmate who remained at large this past Tuesday morning after escaping from that facility a little over three weeks ago, was one of several persons charged in indictments by the Clinton County Grand Jury.

The grand jury convened in regular session last Monday morning, February 21 and returned a single-count indictment against 24-year-old Jesse W. Pittman, charging him with escape in the second degree.

Pittman, who is originally charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, ran away from the jail late Monday morning, February 7 while being returned from the Clinton County Courthouse following a court proceeding.

The defendant remained at large as of press time Tuesday, March 1 and anyone with information about his whereabouts are asked to contact local law enforcement authorities.

A man involved in a police pursuit in January was indicted on some 11 charges by the grand jury last week.

The grand jury indicted Barry Latham on five counts of wanton endangerment; violation of a DVO; fleeing or evading police, first degree; assault, third degree; reckless driving; operating a motor vehicle while under the influence; and improper registration plate.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on January 21 that began with a high speed chase of the suspect by Albany Police Department officers.

The indictments allege the defendant operated a motor vehicle while under the influence and caused a vehicle operated by Bart Bertram to exit the roadway into the ditch, placing him in immediate danger of death or physical injury. Three minor children were also passengers in the Bertram vehicle. Also, another wanton endangerment count involved the defendant who allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at police officer Brad Cross.

Further, indictments allege the defendant violated a Domestic Violence Order from 2009 when he was in possession of a firearm; knowingly or wantonly fled from a person recognized as a police officer; caused or attempted to cause physical injury when he pointed a loaded shotgun at Officer Cross; failed to operate his vehicle in a careful manner; operated a motor vehicle while under the influence and operated a motor vehicle without proper registration.

The grand jury also returned several other true bills in open Circuit Court last Monday, some being multiple-count indictments, and several being drug related offenses, as follows:

* The alleged offenses of operating a motor vehicle on a revoked license for DUI, wanton endangerment (two counts) and persistent felony offender (two counts) against Brian Comstock.

The charges allege on or about August 29, 2010, the defendant operated a vehicle while his license was revoked for DUI, second offense; engaged in conduct that created a substantial danger of death to serious physical injury to Kenneth Murray and Carolyn Kennamer, when he, while under the influence, crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic and struck the Murray vehicle. Kennamer was a passenger. Also, that the preceding offenses occurred after the defendant had been convicted of a prior felony within the past five years.

* The alleged offense of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, against Ashley M. Phillips, when on or about October 20, 2010, the defendant unlawfully possessed a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II narcotic drugs, first offense.

* The alleged offenses of manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of a meth precursor; possession of a controlled substance, first degree (meth); trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree; and persistent felony offender, second degree (four counts) against Shelly L. Scott.

The charges allege that on or about December 17, 2010, the defendant unlawfully possessed chemicals or equipment for the manufacture of meth, second offense; possessed a drug product or component as a precursor to methamphetamine; possessed methamphetamine, first offense; trafficked in a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II narcotic drugs, first offense, and committed the offenses after having been stood convicted of a prior felony offense within the last five years.

* The alleged offenses of trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree; possession of a meth precursor; manufacturing methamphetamine; and possession of a controlled substance, first degree (meth) against Robby J. Scott.

The charges allege that on or about December 17, 2010, the defendant unlawfully trafficked in a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II narcotic drugs, first offense; possessed a drug product or combination as a precursor to meth; possessed chemicals or equipment to manufacture methamphetamine; and possessed methamphetamine.

* The alleged offense of unlawful procurement of a controlled substance against Rodney Duvall, when on or about September 22, 2010, defendant obtained a prescription for a controlled substance by knowingly misrepresenting to Dr. Cummings, or knowingly withholding information, to obtain a prescription for a controlled substance.

* The alleged offense of flagrant nonsupport against Jason Hanna, when on or about May 30, 2006 through February 21, 2010, the defendant failed to pay support for his minor child or children, said failure to pay having resulted in arrearage in the amount of $12,703.15 as of February 21.

(Editor’s Note: An indictment is a statement of probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and further court proceedings are warranted in a case. Those individuals named in an indictment are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.)