PINEVILLE — A Middlesboro man arrested in July 2010 for the attempted murder of a police officer was recently sentenced in Bell County Circuit Court.

Timothy Lee Hughett, 35, of Middlesboro was apprehended on July 17, 2010, after leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase.

On that day, Charles Bruce, an officer with the Middlesboro Police Department (MPD), attempted to pull Hughett over on South 24th Street, but the suspect — along with two passengers — fled the scene and headed out of town.

Officer Bruce was later joined in the pursuit by MPD Officer Kevin Goodin, who was able to get in front of Hughett in an attempt to stop him.

Investigators indicated that Hughett then tried to escape the blockade by driving his vehicle at Bruce. After barely missing the officer, Bruce discharged his firearm in an attempt to disable the vehicle.

The chase reportedly ended when Hughett and one of his passengers, 34-year-old Franklin Trevor Borden, of Middlesboro, ran from authorities – while a second passenger, Carmella Torez, remained in the vehicle.

The officers were able to apprehend Hughett and Borden, and both men were lodged in the Bell County Detention Center.

According to court documents, Hughett was recently found guilty of four counts of first degree wanton endangerment, each a Class D Felony; first degree fleeing or evading police, a Class D Felony; first degree possession of a controlled substance, a Class D Felony; and persistent felony offender in the second degree, a Class B Felony.

Hughett was sentenced to serve a total of 15 years in a state penitentiary designated by the Kentucky Department of Corrections. He will be required to pay court costs in the amount of $151 within 180 days of release, and will receive credit for 262 days time served in jail.

Adam Young is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@heartlandpublications.com.