Thief River Falls, MN – A man with an extensive criminal history, including multiple cases of fleeing police and drug possession, has been sentenced to prison following a high-speed chase.
The Incident:
Date: November 1, 2022 Location: First Street & Horace Avenue Defendant: Justin Lee Armstrong, 46 Sentence: 19 months in prison
According to the criminal complaint, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle in Thief River Falls, but the driver accelerated and led officers on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of 60-70 mph. Due to the presence of pedestrians and other vehicles, officers had to terminate the pursuit for safety reasons.
Evidence & Arrest:
Armstrong was identified as the driver after the registered owner of the vehicle provided police with text messages from Armstrong, stating:
“I was going to be arrested, so I put the vehicle in a ditch.”
The vehicle was later recovered and found to be covered in dust with visible damage.
The next day, Armstrong was arrested as a passenger in another vehicle stopped by law enforcement.
Initially, he denied driving during the chase but later admitted to fleeing from police.
Armstrong’s reason for running? He suspected there was a firearm inside the vehicle, stating: “Every time I get stopped while driving, I go to prison because there’s a gun in the vehicle.”
However, Armstrong refused to disclose the location of the firearm.
Additional Search & Discovery:
After Armstrong’s arrest, authorities searched for his Dodge pickup truck, concerned that he may have stashed the gun inside.
The vehicle was found on another man’s property. The property owner requested the vehicle be removed, and it was later towed. Inside Armstrong’s truck, officers found:
- Live ammunition
- A spent 9mm casing
- A spoon with methamphetamine residue
- Multiple items of drug paraphernalia
Despite the discovery of drugs and paraphernalia, Armstrong was not charged for possession of these items.
Criminal History:
According to the complaint, Armstrong has an extensive criminal record, including:
16 prior cases dating back to 1999 Previous fleeing police convictions (1999 & 2013 – both in Polk County) Multiple felony drug possession charges Felony bail jumping Driving while impaired (DWI) Fifth-degree assault A 2022 pending case in North Dakota for felony possession of drug paraphernalia & driving after revocation
Sentencing Details:
Prison Time: 19 months Fines & Fees: $210 DNA Sample Required Charge Dismissed: Gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation (inimical to public safety)
Repeat Offender Back Behind Bars
With a long history of offenses spanning multiple decades, Justin Lee Armstrong is returning to prison. Law enforcement officials say the quick thinking of officers and Armstrong’s own admissions led to his conviction.
For more crime updates in Minnesota and North Dakota, visit TRF News.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News