Suspected Chop Shop Leader Indicted on 17 Counts in Oconee

An Oconee County grand jury has handed down a 16-count indictment against , 38, of Canton.

The indictment alleges Bray knowingly received a stolen Ford pickup truck on May 5, 2011, drove recklessly while attempting to flee from Oconee County deputies and  at Ga. 316 and the Oconee Connector. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle,  grandparents of a deputy, were seriously injured in the accident, authorities said.

Additionally, Bray --who is still behind bars at the Oconee County Jail-- was indicted on counts of receiving a stolen handgun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, and possession of methamphetamine.  

A separate one-count indictment alleges Bray and  22, of Bishop, stole a truck from  in Watkinsville on April 30, 2011. l.

The indictments were filed with the Oconee County Clerk of Superior Court on Aug. 9.

Criminal indictments are not evidence of guilt; they are only charges.   Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Bray, Lanard, and her sister, Kori Lanard, , may have been involved in a larger, multi-jurisdicional stolen vehicle and heavy equipment chop shop operation, according to multiple news reports. Kori Lanard was charged in Lincoln County on April 29 after she, and Bray and Lauren Lanard were found with stolen property there.