Published: November 17, 2007 05:23 pm      

Man charged with 11 felonies

Multiple felony charges have been filed against a Haileyville man who is accused of running a roadblock and nearly running down a deputy.

Donald Clyde Haggard, 45, remained in the Pittsburg County Jail this weekend in lieu of a total $1.5 million bond. He is charged with 11 felony counts in Pittsburg County District Court, filed in connection with a car chase which occurred on the night of Nov. 10 in the Hartshorne area.

He’s also accused of ramming a car into a patrol car driven by a Pittsburg County deputy, as well as possessing guns and drugs during the incident.

Because of his previous convictions, Haggard faces a maximum term of life in prison on all 11 of the felony charges filed against him.

Pittsburg County Dep. Jeremy Webb said the incident began when Pittsburg County deputies set up a checkpoint near Hartshorne City Lake.

Deputies Nick Mattioda, Richard Bedford, Paul Wright, and Jeremy James were working the checkpoint, he said.

“A guy driving a four-door Chevy Impala, traveling north, did not stop for the roadblock,” Webb said. “The car nearly struck Deputy Nick Mattioda.”

“The deputies gave pursuit,” and they traveled through the city of Hartshorne, he said.

“The suspect zig-zagged through the city, crossing yards and alleys, running stop signs and traffic control devices,” Webb said.

“He struck Deputy Bedford’s patrol car, causing minimal damage.”

After striking Bedford’s car, the driver of the Impala struck a gas meter and fled on foot, Webb said.

“After a foot pursuit, Deputy Bedford caught him,” Webb said. He said Bedford found Haggard lying in a flower bed at a residence in the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.

“The vehicle was found to be stolen and inside were two loaded guns,” Webb said.

Charges filed against Haggard by District 18 District Attorney Jim Bob Miller’s office include:

• Attempted manufacture of controlled dangerous substance, methamphetamine, and possession of anhydrous ammonia in a non-conforming container. The crime is punishable by 21 years to life.

• Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and marijuana. The offense is punishable by six years to life in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000.

• Assault with a dangerous weapon, an automobile. Haggard is accused of nearly striking Dep. Mattioda with the 2005 Chevy Impala he was driving. Punishment is four years to life in prison.

• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, for allegedly swerving his car into Dep. Bedford’s patrol car. Punishment is four years to life.

• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly swerving his car into a patrol car in which Dep. James rode as a passenger. The punishment is four years to life.

• Possession of firearms after conviction or during probation. Haggard’s accused of having a .22 Mag revolver and a .22 Ruger rifle in the driver’s seat after having a 1996 Pittsburg County conviction of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Punishment is four years to life.

• Possession of firearms during commission of a felony. He’s accused of possessing the revolver and rifle while committing the felony of attempted manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance/possession of anhydrous ammonia in a non-conforming container. The punishment is six years to life.

• Eluding a police officer, for allegedly trying to elude sheriff’s deputies who were trying to stop him. Punishment is three years to life.

• Running a roadblock. The punishment is three years to life in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

• Unauthorized use of a vehicle. Haggard is accused of driving the 2005 Chevy Impala without the consent of the driver. Punishment is three years to life in prison and a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000.

• Possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and marijuana without a tax stamp affixed. Haggard faces a sentence of from four years to life in prison on the charge.

The district attorney’s office also filed court documents showing that Haggard has prior felony convictions which can be used to enhance his punishment.

Haggard’s previous convictions include:

• A 2002 Pittsburg County conviction of possession of a controlled substance and possession of firearms after conviction or during probation. Haggard had been sentenced to nine years in prison on both counts.

• A 2002 Pittsburg County conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol. He had been sentenced to seven years in prison with all but the first three suspended. The sentence was later revoked in March 2002 for three years.

• A 1996 Pittsburg County conviction of felonious possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled drug. He had been sentenced to a seven-year suspended sentence on both counts. The sentence was later revoked.

• A 1995 conviction of driving under the influence of liquor. A five-year suspended sentence was revoked the following year for a four-year term.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.