Vaughan waives hearing

HILLSVILLE — Two felony charges against a Galax man accused of fleeing from the scene of a drug sting in April will go to Carroll Circuit Court, but other charges will be taken up by federal prosecutors.
Police filed multiple charges against Donald Scott Vaughan, 52, after the Twin County Drug Task Force set up a drug buy in the Interstate 77 Exit 14 area.

Donald Scott Vaughan

Prosecutors and police said that Vaughan showed up at the scene, but fled, leading law enforcement on a chase through the Carroll County communities of Laurel and Woodlawn at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
This incident, coupled with a later search of Vaughan's home, led to charges of eluding police, possession and distribution of methamphetamine, using a police scanner during a crime, possession of a gun while in possession of illegal drugs, throwing missiles from a car, reckless driving and failure to obey highway lane markings.
The accusation of throwing missiles arises from the Carroll deputy in pursuit of the black Jetta testifying the suspect was heaving items out the window.
Vaughan appeared in Carroll County General District Court Friday before Judge E.M. Turner III to answer these accusations.
(A charge of manufacturing a controlled substance had already been dropped by the time of the preliminary hearing.)
The hearing was a quick one.
Vaughan, represented by defense attorney Jonathan McGrady, waived his right to preliminary hearings on two counts, including the eluding and throwing missiles from a vehicle, both felonies.
Those two charges were certified to the Carroll grand jury.
All the other counts against Vaughan were dismissed.
"The other charges [those involving drugs] were dropped because the federal authorities are proceeding on those charges," Commonwealth's Attorney Greg Goad explained to The Gazette.
Vaughan also agreed to forfeit his police scanner, the prosecutor added.
Vaughan has been released on bond while awaiting trial.