Sparta man charged after knife assault

A Sparta man was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after an altercation involving a knife on July 20 at the Kangaroo Express (formerly The Pantry) on Main Street in Sparta. Charged is Charles Nathan “Charlie” Jones of Antioch Road in Sparta. Jones, 22, is charged with assaulting 17-year-old Jonathan Lenhart of Fox Ridge Road in Sparta with a folding pocket knife, according to warrants filed by Det. Tim Bartlett of the Sparta Police Department.

According to a report filed by Bartlett and Officer William D. Everett, Everett responded to a call at the convenience store at 11:41 p.m. and found Lenhart bleeding from his right forearm, knuckles and the side of his neck. Lenhart was subsequently transported to Alleghany Memorial Hospital by Alleghany Emergency Medical Services. Lenhart was treated and released, a hospital spokesperson said Tuesday.

Jones later arrived at the hospital with a cut on his arm and was interrogated by Deputy Todd Ramage of the Alleghany Sheriff’s Department. Jones told officers that he had been involved in a fight, according to the report, after first telling hospital workers that he had a self-inflicted wound.

Once Jones was treated and released from the hospital, he was taken into custody. He told police that Lenhart called him “a narc” and that’s what started the altercation.

Jones was placed into custody under a $25,000 secured bond due the felony charge.

Jones was ordered, if released, to stay 250 feet away from Lenhart and to stay off the property of the Kangaroo Express Convenience Store. Jones had a first appearance in court on Tuesday. The result of that court appearance will be printed in next week’s edition of the newspaper.

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