Preston Lakes, 20, of Annville, KY, appeared before Judge Oscar Gayle House in Circuit Court last week (February 03, 2026) for pretrial conferences in Case #25-CR-00018 & Case #25-CR-00017.
According to Uniform Citation #EU56553, KSP Trooper T. Johnson and JCSO Deputy Andrew Brewer were sent to a residence near the junction of KY 3445 and KY 587 on December 29, 2024, to serve several active felony warrants on Lakes. When they arrived, they were informed that Lakes had “run out the back door” upon their arrival.
Trooper Johnson and Deputy Brewer followed footprints that led into the woods behind the trailer. The hillside was very steep and slippery with mud due to the storming weather conditions. The law enforcement officers walked the wood line for approximately 45 minutes before coming to the top of the hill and walking back toward the next-door neighbor’s property. They attempted to make contact with the neighbor to advise what they were doing. The neighbor asked, “Are you looking for that little s**t? He just ran out the back door.” At that time, they saw Preston Lakes run through the side yard through the site of a burnt-down home (the house burned approximately 3 weeks ago). Trooper Johnson reported that he had to run over the top of burned lumber and melted/torn tin roofing to make contact with Preston. Both law enforcement officers were yelling commands for Preston to stop running and that he was under arrest. However, Preston continued to run.
The chase ended when Preston surrendered after Trooper Johnson closed in on him. Lakes was arrested and taken to the Jackson County Detention Center with no further incident.
Lakes was charged with 1) fleeing or evading police, 1st degree (on foot), 2) resisting arrest, 3) disorderly conduct, 1st degree, and 4) wanton endangerment, 2nd degree (police officer).
The active felony warrant that Trooper Johnson and Deputy Brewer were attempting to serve on Lakes was precipitated by a complaint warrant (E05510004904662) obtained by JCSO Deputy Chris Baldwin on December 28, 2024. According to the complaint warrant, Deputy Baldwin alleges that on December 27, 2024 four (4) juvenile victims were playing pool at the Grandmother’s house of the alleged female victim on McCammon Ridge Road. They left her residence and proceeded down JCHS Road to US Hwy 421 where they saw Preston Lakes parked at Brenda’s Trade Store on 421. Lakes allegedly pulled his vehicle out in the middle of Highway 421 and parked his truck in the southbound lane to block the vehicle being driven by the female victim. The female victim then performed a U-turn to turn around and drove toward Deer View Mart with Preston Lakes following such that their automobiles were bumper to bumper. The female victim pulled her vehicle into the parking lot of Deer View, and Preston Lakes allegedly rammed his truck into the victim’s car (owned by Scotty Gabbard), resulting in more than $1,000 in damage. All four (4) juveniles in the car were reported injured. Two of them were treated by Jackson County EMS. The female victim later went to the hospital.
The Circuit Court docket alleges that Preston Lakes committed the following offenses associated with the behavior described, including 1) assault, 2nd degree, 2) wanton endangerment, 1st degree, (4 counts) and 3) criminal mischief, 1st degree.
During a pretrial conference on September 02, 2025, a trial by jury was scheduled for February 25, 2026. The final pretrial conference was scheduled for February 03, 2026.
At the pretrial conference last week, Lakes changed his “not guilty” pleas to “guilty” pleas. In Case #25-CR-00017, the charges of “fleeing or evading police, 2nd degree (on foot)”, and “resisting arrest” were dismissed following a motion from the Commonwealth. Between the two cases, Lakes pled guilty to five (5) counts of “wanton endangerment”, criminal mischief, 1st degree, and assault, 2nd degree.
A sentencing hearing was scheduled for April 07, 2026.
Lakes was released on his own recognizance while awaiting his next court appearance.
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