Man pleads guilty in crime spree that ended in chase

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A man pleaded guilty Monday to more than 20 counts, including assault, robbery and more.

Michael Bagwell stood before a judge and apologized to the citizens of Catawba County for his actions. He said he didn't want to go to trial and make his victims relive incidents that happened last April.

Deputies said Bagwell and his girlfriend were involved in a string of home invasion robberies while trying to elude officers. During a chase, officers opened fire on the Jeep they said the couple stole.

The pursuit ended minutes later with Bagwell on the ground after being hit by gunfire.  Deputies said the couple ran through three roadblocks before they were caught.

But in court Monday, Bagwell said he didn’t intend to hurt anyone and explained it was his drug use that led to his poor decisions.

“All the decisions I made that day were under a drug-induced stupor and in no way reflect the true character of my life,” he said.

The judge sentenced Bagwell to between 15 and 20 years in prison.

Sheriff Coy Reid said he clearly remembers deputies having to run to keep from being hurt and said the couple put people's lives at risk.

“He may have said that he didn't intend to hurt anybody, but I guarantee you if we hadn't gotten out of the road, he would have ran over us,” Reid said. “His intent wasn't to stop, for sure.”

Bagwell's girlfriend, Diana Dayton, is still locked up at the Catawba County Detention Center.

WSOC