Perham: 350g Meth Seized After 95 MPH Chase

Perham, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Perham man is facing major drug charges after a chase that started with a traffic stop.

Larry McClendon Jr., of Perham, is now charged with three felonies, according to court records.

Those charges include fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

He is also charged with first-degree sale of methamphetamine.

He is also charged with first-degree possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Traffic stop and chase

Court records indicate that the incident occurred on the morning of December 26 in Perham.

An officer attempted a traffic stop in town, according to the records.

McClendon Jr. allegedly sped away instead of stopping.

The chase moved onto Highway 10, according to the complaint.

Records say speeds reached about 95 miles per hour.

Two PIT maneuvers were attempted during the pursuit, court records say.

The vehicle later became stuck in a ditch, the records say.

McClendon Jr. was arrested after the vehicle stopped.

Drug seizure and charges

Investigators say they found about 350 grams of methamphetamine in his possession.

The amount is far above the 50-gram level listed in the complaint.

The complaint describes the drug counts as first-degree charges.

The filing also lists a maximum sentence of up to 40 years on each drug count.

Sentencing can depend on criminal history and other factors.

What happens next

The case will move through the Minnesota court system.

Charges are allegations and are not proof of guilt.

McClendon Jr. is presumed innocent unless convicted in court.

Related resources

You can read Minnesota’s fleeing law at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes: Minnesota Statute 609.487 (Fleeing a peace officer)

You can also review Minnesota’s first-degree controlled substance statute here: Minnesota Statute 152.021 (First-degree controlled substance crime)

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.