Richard Charles Thomas Jr., a 42-year-old resident of Merced, has been sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston for possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on August 25, 2020, Thomas engaged in a high-speed chase through the residential streets of Merced after an officer attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. During the pursuit, he reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, drove on the wrong side of the road, ignored stop signs, and threw a bag out of his car window.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Thomas after he abandoned his moving vehicle and fled on foot. They recovered the discarded bag containing several thousand dollars in cash and nearly two pounds of methamphetamine with a purity level of 99%.
The case was investigated by the Merced Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
