Shortly after midnight, Lawrence County deputies intercepted a reckless driver entering Lawrence County on Hwy. 63 from Sharp County. As deputies observed the vehicle driving left of center they attempted to make a traffic stop north of Imboden on the south bound vehicle.

At 12:25 a.m. law enforcement informed the Lawrence County dispatch that the vehicle was entering the city limits of Imboden at speeds from 40 to 45 miles an hour, weaving all over the road, and refusing to stop.

The low speed pursuit then turned onto highway 62 and continued towards Pocahontas. Randolph County authorities were notified and Pocahontas police department responded to the intersection of highway 166 and 62 with spike strips. For the next few minutes the deputy continued to follow the non-compliant driver, running lights and sirens with the suspect vehicle driving 35-40 miles an hour and failing to maintain their correct lane of traffic.

At 12:42 a.m. Lawrence County dispatch was notified that the pursuit was approaching the intersection of 166 where Pocahontas PD had set up spike strips. The driver attempted to avoid the spike strips but radio traffic indicated that the right front tire was hit. At 12:46 a.m. the low speed pursuit entered the Pocahontas city limits, the vehicle stopped for a moment but then took off again. At 12:49 a.m. officers stated the pursuit had come to a stop on highway 62 just east of the traffic light. Officers acknowledged they were out with the suspect, at gunpoint. At 12:55 a.m. the non – compliant suspect was tazed before being taken into custody.

Officers were shocked to find inside the vehicle, five minors, ranging in ages from just a few months old to eight years old. DHS was called to the scene, the children were described to be covered in urine. They were taken to the Randolph County sheriff’s office to be checked out.

An inventory was conducted on the vehicle, a small amount of marijuana was found along with a long rifle and several different types of ammunition. Officers also found a large amount of new clothing and merchandise but no receipts, authorities notified Sharp county to see if they had any recent thefts or burglaries that would match the merchandise. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Burgess Towing.

Jacquese Paine, age 30, formerly of Colorado was arrested and booked into the Lawrence County detention center on numerous criminal charges including five counts of first degree endangering the welfare of a minor, felony fleeing, five counts of failure to use child restraints, driving left of center, and no drivers license. Jacquese Paine is currently being held in the Lawrence County detention center awaiting a bond hearing. the five children were placed in the custody of DHS.