Cody man sentenced to prison in 150-mile chase
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CODY (WNE) — A Cody man who led authorities from four different law enforcement agencies on a 150-mile, more than two-hour car chase was sentenced to 5-7 years in prison Wednesday.
Christopher Mitchell, 44, pleaded guilty in September to theft of property valued at more than $1,000, a felony.
Mitchell stole a contractor truck from former employer and Cody resident Jay Blough in September 2017. After Lovell police attempted to pull over Mitchell, the man drove Blough’s 2005 Dodge pickup through a spike strip and crashed into a canal between Thermopolis and Worland, totaling the vehicle.
According to a report from Hot Springs County sheriff’s deputy Jake Miller, after crashing, Mitchell stole a second vehicle, a 2014 Ford F-150, and continued heading south.
After a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy failed to pull over Mitchell – traveling 95 mph – Mitchell made a fateful turn onto a dead end in Riverton. Deputy Greg Scott rammed his squad car into the F-150 and the chase was over just before 2 a.m. Sept. 6, 2017.
Mitchell already received 3-5 year sentences in Hot Springs County and Washakie County before Wednesday’s hearing. Since the sentence handed out by Simpson is larger, it will take precedence and is concurrent with the others. In custody since September 2017, Mitchell will get 13 months credit toward his time.
Mitchell made apologies to the Bloughs on Wednesday while defending his character and mentioning he has, “good kids.”
“This was out of character even though I’ve had an extensive history,” Mitchell said. “I want to apologize to the court and community.”
Mitchell blamed his cross-county rampage on alcohol-induced hallucinations that made him do it.
