By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A woman accused of trying to steal a running vehicle with two people inside at a Cedar City gas station is facing additional felony charges after authorities say she later spit on three deputies.
Alexis Marie Ashley, 38, was arrested June 21 and booked into the Iron County Correctional Facility on eight counts of vehicle burglary and second-degree felony charge of theft of an operable motor vehicle.
Two days later, prosecutors filed three additional third-degree felony counts of assault by a prisoner stemming from an alleged incident inside the jail.
According to charging documents filed in 5th District Court, officers responded around 12:18 p.m. June 21 to the Sunoco gas station after receiving a report of a vehicle burglary in progress.
Police allege Ashley entered a vehicle that had been left running while two people were still inside. After getting into the driver’s seat, Ashley allegedly attempted to shift the vehicle from park into reverse.
Before she could drive away, the driver, who had been walking back toward the vehicle, yelled for her to get out. Ashley immediately exited the vehicle.
After her arrest, Ashely was charged with additional felonies stemming from an incident that occurred inside the jail.
According to a second affidavit, deputies and jail medical staff responded June 23 to what appeared to be a medical emergency involving Ashley.
As deputies attempted to provide assistance, Ashley allegedly yelled at them to leave her alone before intentionally spitting on three deputies, striking them in the chest and arm areas.
Ashley later admitted to medical staff, without being questioned, that the seizure had been deliberate and acknowledged it had been “uncalled for and unnecessary,” court documents state.