E’mory Nazay Chiles, 20, of Wellsville, enters Common Pleas Court led by his defense attorney, James Wise, prior to pleading guilty to felonious assault and tampering with evidence on Monday. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

LISBON –A Wellsville man accused of shooting a juvenile last year opted to enter a guilty plea Monday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, but with an attempted murder charge to be dismissed as part of the plea deal.

E’mory Nazay Chiles, 20, Independence Square, agreed to plead guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony with a firearm specification, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

County Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech confirmed that during sentencing, which is set for 10:30 a.m. March 12, he will be recommending a six-year prison term.

Chiles had originally been scheduled to face a jury trial Monday, but both sides had been negotiating and came to an agreement, with potential jurors told they did not have to report. What had been set as a jury trial became a plea hearing instead.

As part of the agreement, the first-degree felony attempted murder charge and a fourth-degree felony inducting panic charge will both be dismissed.

Chiles was indicted early in June for the first-degree felony attempted murder charge, a second-degree felony charge of felonious assault, a third-degree felony tampering with evidence charge, a fourth-degree felony inducing panic charge and two firearm specifications all related to the April 27 shooting in Wellsville.

According to a police affidavit, Wellsville Police had received a call about shots fired near the 18th Street park and that the suspect was on foot wearing all black clothing heading south near Danbury Avenue behind Pep’s Carryout mini-mart.

Officers were also sent to Independence Square where they were told a juvenile had been struck with a bullet. Officers spoke with the shooting victim, who sustained an injury to his right arm, near the wrist, with the injury consistent with a gunshot wound. On April 28, officers obtained a warrant for the residence where Chiles lived, but according to the affidavit, Chiles came to the police station from work to turn himself in.

“E’mory stated that he was involved in the shooting and that he did in fact shoot at/towards” the two teens, the affidavit said.

The indictment alleged that Chiles attempted to purposely cause the death of the 15-year-old victim, used a firearm, tampered with evidence and caused the evacuation of a public place, causing serious public inconvenience and alarm.

When asked about the tampering with evidence charge, Beech would only say that it was related to the gun.

Chiles remains jailed under a $500,000 bond and was escorted by two deputy sheriffs.

Judge Scott Washam reviewed everything with Chiles, explaining to him the possible penalties for the charges involved in the plea. The possible maximum penalty for felonious assault is eight-to-12 years, with a maximum possible of up to 36 months for the tampering charge.

County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Weeda also represented the state with Beech.

Another case remains pending against Chiles before Judge Megan Bickerton.

While incarcerated at the county jail for the attempted murder case, Chiles was charged with possession of a deadly weapon while under detention, a second-degree felony, for allegedly possessing a metal shank at the jail on July 25, 2025.

A status hearing in that case remains set for 9:40 a.m. Jan. 26, with a jury trial set for 9 a.m. Feb. 3 before Bickerton.

mgreier@mojonews.com