A Merced man is heading to prison for intending to distribute methamphetamine.
The big picture: Richard Thomas Jr., 42, was sentenced on Monday to 15 years and eight months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
- A law enforcement officer attempted to stop Thomas for a traffic violation on Aug. 25, 2020. Thomas refused to stop and instead accelerated, leading the officer on a high-speed chase through residential streets in Merced. He reached speeds of 100 miles per hour, drove on the wrong side of the road, sped through stop signs and tossed a bag out of his car’s window.
- Thomas eventually fled his car on foot and was caught. Law enforcement officers recovered the bag and found thousands of dollars in cash and nearly 2 pounds of methamphetamine.
