Former Henry County deputy gets pretrial diversion

Credit: Houston County Jail

Ted Yost

By: Matt Elofson | Dothan Eagle
Published: August 31, 2010
Updated: September 01, 2010 - 2:53 PM

A Houston County judge has approved pretrial diversion for a former Henry County Sheriff's deputy who fled on a motorcycle from Houston County deputies earlier this year.

District Court Judge Benjamin Lewis signed off on the pretrial diversion program for Ted Yost, 39, of Dothan Road in Abbeville. District Attorney Doug Valeska said as part of the program Yost must stay out of trouble, abide by several other conditions, along with paying off all of his court costs and fees.

Deputies with the Houston County Sheriff's Office arrested Yost on July 11 and charged him with two misdemeanor crimes to include reckless endangerment and attempting to elude law enforcement for leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit in Dothan.

Court records show Yost was charged with reckless endangerment for operating a motorcycle at 115 to 120 mph, creating substantial risk of serious injury to other drivers.

Henry County Sheriff William Maddox terminated Yost from employment after his arrest. Yost had been on workman's compensation for more than a year after he suffered an injury in a shooting on April 24, 2009. He had not returned to active duty since the shooting, which also left Headland Police Officer Dexter Hammond dead. Yost was critically injured after Fred Davis opened fire on officers in the Granberry Crossing community.

Attorney Steadman Shealy Jr., who represented Yost, said if his client successfully completes the pretrial diversion program the charges against him will be dropped. Shealy also said his client is still unable to work because of his wounds and injuries suffered from when he was shot.

"Ted's a fine officer, and this is unfortunate that this has happened," Shealy said. "You've got remember he was shot twice in the neck and head in the line of duty."

Valeska said anybody who has a traffic offense is required to attend traffic safety school. He said Yost must also complete 25 hours of community service within the next six months.

Court records show Yost must pay $1,994 in courts costs and fees by Nov. 30. The fees include payment to several agencies, from $500 to the Houston County Pretrial Diversion program and $50 to five different agencies, which included the Houston County Sheriff's Office, the Houston County Clerk's Office, Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL), the Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center and the Houston County Commission.

Valeska said Yost was also ordered to pay $1,796 in restitution for damage caused to the Houston County Sheriff's patrol car.

"I have to make a decision on a man who risked his life every day, and who was shot in the head, but in no way do I condone his actions," Valeska said. "I don't have too many lay citizens who're shot in the head."

Former Henry County deputy gets pretrial diversion

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