Abingdon, Virginia — According to Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman: Ryan Michael Jones and Miranda Jean Jones went to Valley Institute Elementary School for a meeting with school staff. School Resource Officer Deputy Harry Foster recognized Mr. Jones as possibly being wanted and called Central Dispatch to check for any active warrants on him. Dispatch advised Deputy Foster he was wanted for a capias out of our jurisdiction.
Deputy Foster had Jones come into his office where he removed a fixed blade knife from a sheath that was on his side and then attempted to place him under arrest. At that point the deputy was assaulted and Jones fled out of the school and off school property on foot.
Deputy Foster conducted a brief foot pursuit on school grounds however he discontinued the pursuit once Jones was off the schools property. He returned to secure the school for the safety of the students and staff while waiting on the arrival of other deputies.
Shortly thereafter, Jones was located at his residence and arrested without incident. Upon checking the status of Miranda Jean Jones it was found she had an outstanding violation of probation out of the City of Bristol Virginia.
Based upon statements made by Jones at the scene their vehicle was seized and transported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office where a search warrant was executed on it. Detectives located two loaded handguns in the console as well as a quantity of marijuana.
Ryan Michael Jones, age 37, of 22333 Ivanhoe Road, Bristol, VA. has been served with the outstanding Capias, and subsequently charged with two counts of possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a knife on school property, assault and battery on law enforcement officer and attempt to flee from law enforcement. He was transported to the Abingdon Facility of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority and is being held without bond
Miranda Jean Jones, age 31, of 22333 Ivanhoe Road, Bristol, Va. was arrested and served with the outstanding violation of probation from the City of Bristol Virginia. She was transported to the Abingdon Facility of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority and is being held without bond.
“I am thankful for the quick actions of SRO Harry Foster today” stated Sheriff Newman. “Keeping our students and school staff safe is one the top priorities of law enforcement in today’s society.” “I believe incidents such as this highlight the need for SRO’s in Every School.” “I am very thankful for the working relationship we have with the Washington County School System and Washington County Board of Supervisors as their support helped make that goal a reality.”
