Christian Peterson
Reporter@riverbendnews.org
On Saturday, May 13, at 2:05 a.m., Deputy Jillian Hodges with the Columba County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) responded to a call regarding a battery. According to a report from the CCSO, upon arrival, Deputy Hodges was told by a guardian that they had gone to check on their minor when they noticed a male subject, later revealed to be 18-year-old Mayo resident Kiami McKnight, in the room. The guardian informed the deputy that, when they confronted McKnight, he grabbed their throat, pushed them down and grabbed their arms, leaving scratches, before running out the back door of the residence, leaving behind his shoes and vape pen. The guardian insisted they would like to press charges.
After taking pictures of the guardian’s injuries, Deputy Hodges spoke to the juvenile victim, who told her they had met McKnight via Snapchat, but never in person before. When asked who McKnight was, the victim stated his name and that he was 16-years-old, also telling the deputy that nothing sexual had happened, but they had planned to have intercourse. The victim allowed Deputy Hodges to access their phone, where she located a conversation between the two on Snapchat. The username contained parts of McKnight's name, and the minor confirmed it was him.
At 4:15 a.m. that same morning, Deputy Hodges was called once more to the residence, as McKnight had returned. While there, the deputy made contact with an unidentified driver, who told her they were there to drop McKnight off so he could get his phone and shoes. Once again, Deputy Hodges approached the house and spoke with the guardian, who told her that at roughly 4:15 a.m. McKnight had attempted to gain entry through the back door. When the guardian heard the disturbance, they went to check it out and saw McKnight in the backyard, who began yelling, “Give me back my shoes and phone f*** n****.” The guardian also told the deputy that McKnight had said, “I will kill you n****.”
Deputy Hodges spoke with another resident, who said they were present during McKnight's second intrusion and had heard him yell, “I will kill you f*** n****.” Deputy Hodges spoke to the residents about the cell phone and shoes, which had been discovered in the victim's bedroom. After finishing witness statements, Deputy Hodges left the premises.
At 6:56 a.m., dispatch notified Deputy Hodges that McKnight and a friend were on State Road 247 and had called 911 in request for a ride. When the deputy arrived, she located the two subjects on the side of the rode. When Deputy Hodges asked McKnight why he was there, he said his friend had left him at the store. When the deputy asked McKnight where his shoes were, he said they were in the vehicle he was dropped off in. Deputy Hodges then detained McKnight and read him his Miranda Rights. She then asked McKnight if he recognized anything in the backseat of her patrol car. The report states McKnight looked inside, he said, “Oh my shoes.” McKnight then admitted he left his shoes at the victim's residence, and asked if Deputy Hodges had his phone. She told him yes, then placed him in the backseat of the patrol vehicle.
McKnight was arrested for simple battery, using a computer service to seduce a minor, traveling to meet a minor, burglary of an occupied dwelling and attempted lewd or lascivious battery.