The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – On November 12, 2024, in the Alleghany County Circuit Court, James Edward Jones, 58, of Covington, Virginia, received a total sentence of 45 years in prison to be suspended after serving a 15-year active sentence for aggravated malicious wounding and assault and battery of a family or household member third or subsequent offense.
On July 2, 2024, Jones pled guilty to aggravated malicious wounding and assault and battery of a family or household member third or subsequent offense. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Lauren Cassel, summarized the evidence against Jones for the Court.
On February 24, 2024, Sgt. Michael Garcia of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Department responded to LewisGale Alleghany Hospital for a report that an individual arrived at the Emergency Department with a large laceration to their face. Through their investigation, law enforcement identified James Edward Jones as a suspect. Alleghany County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by the Virginia State Police and the Covington Police Department, discovered that during the early hours of the morning, Jones and the victim argued. During the argument, Jones became so enraged that he grabbed a knife and slashed it across the side of the victim’s face causing a significant gash. The wound resulted in a permanent scar.
As a result of his new convictions, Jones was found guilty of a probation violation.
The Court revoked his suspended sentence and ordered that time imposed on the revocation run concurrently with his new convictions.
Jones’ 15-year active prison sentence falls within the range recommended by the Virginia Sentencing Guidelines. Once he is released from incarceration, Jones will remain on probation for five years. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim, be of good behavior, and obey the law as a condition of his suspended sentence.
