Ashland Man Allegedly Takes ATV Off Road To Flee Officer

A 30-year-old man allegedly drove his ATV through woods in Odanah to escape an Ashland County sheriff's deputy, who caught the man by following the ATV's tracks in the snow, according to a criminal complaint filed in Ashland County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Billy Jo Alfred Nelis, of Ashland, was charged with a felony count of fleeing an officer, along with one count of bail jumping for allegedly violating the terms of bail conditions from another, unrelated case. On Wednesday, Nelis' bail was set at $2,500 signature bond, according to court documents.

Fleeing an officer carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine or three-and-a-half years imprisonment, or both.

On Jan. 9, Ashland County Sheriff's Deputy Jon Pillath was parked in his patrol car when he allegedly tracked Nelis driving an ATV at 38 MPH in a 15 MPH zone on Maple Street in Odanah, according to the criminal complaint. When Pillath attempted to pull over Nelis, Nelis accelerated his ATV before driving it through a ditch and into nearby woods, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Pillath could not drive his patrol car into the woods, and so he left his patrol car and followed the ATV's tracks by foot.

Pillath found the ATV stuck in an embankment about 30 yards from the road, the complaint states. The suspect could be heard running in the distance, and Pillath pursued.

Pillath eventually caught up with Nelis and ordered him to stop and raise his hands. Nelis complied with the officer's directions, the complaint states.

The bail jumping charge relates to a November 2011 case in which Nelis is accused of illegally obtaining the prescription drug oxycodone hydrochloride and operating a vehicle after having his license revoked.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites