Local man gets jail time for chase

 

A Jefferson City man has been sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to amended charges in connection with leading authorities on a chase during Winter Storm Jupiter in January.

Orlando Strickland, 19, pleaded guilty to resisting a lawful stop and driving while revoked, both misdemeanors.

He was sentenced to 30 days in the Cole County Jail with credit for 24 days.

The incident began on the evening of Jan. 15, when an officer saw Strickland drive onto U.S. 54 the wrong way, going east in the westbound lanes, according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.

The officer turned on his lights and siren, but Strickland drove on.

Strickland made a sharp turn to begin driving the correct direction on U.S. 54 westbound, but still didn't stop for the officer.

Strickland swerved around a semi-truck, then cut off the truck to return to the driving lane and exit onto Southwest Boulevard.

Strickland then drove at a high speed on slick roads with heavy traffic through the 1800 block and up to the 1500 block of Southwest Boulevard, passing several cars.

He lost control of his vehicle at the top of a hill after a sharp curve. He was able to regain control and pulled into a parking lot, where officers took him into custody.

A search of Strickland's vehicle turned up a scale with marijuana residue, as well as a stolen handgun.

Strickland admitted to using the scale to measure marijuana for personal use, and he bought the handgun from a friend for $200. The gun was found to have been stolen in Jefferson City in 2016. Because he is a convicted felon, it's illegal for Strickland to possess a handgun.