Man sentenced to years in prison for drugs, chase that reached 120 MPH

Jeffrey Strodes Jr.

Jeffrey Strodes Jr.

A Springfield man was sentenced to prison in connection with a July police chase on I-70 in Clark County that reached 120 miles per hour and previous drug charges.

Jeffrey Strodes Jr., 31, was sentenced to six years in prison after he was found guilty of possessing heroin, tampering with evidence and aggravated possession of drugs — fentanyl. He also pleaded guilty to felony charges of failure to appear and failure to comply, according to online court records.

EXTRA: I-70 chase in Clark County hit speeds of 150 mph

“Our office would like to recognize the officers of the Springfield Police Division, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol who worked together on this case,” Clark County Prosecutor Dan Driscoll said in a statement. “It was their teamwork and dedication that ensured that this pursuit ended safely and with Strodes in custody.”

Clark County Common Pleas Judge Richard O’Neil sentenced Strodes on Thursday.

Law enforcement began their investigation. on July 6 at around 8 p.m. when they saw Strodes driving a gray Kia Optima on West Clark Street, an affidavit filed with the charges says. They knew that Strodes had several outstanding warrants for his arrest and did not have a valid driver’s licenses.

Officers attempted to make a traffic stop, according to the affidavit, but Strodes did not stop. He drove through numerous neighborhoods before reaching 80 to 90 miles per hour on State Route 4.

“Mr. Strodes then turned westbound on West National Road and continued westbound over New Carlisle Pike,” the affidavit says. “Mr. Strodes reached speeds of 110 to 1120 miles per hour while we continued westbound on West National Road with no traffic to light traffic.”

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Strodes continued the chase until he reached a dead end on Ironwood Drive, according to the affidavit. He was taken into custody without further incident.

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