Chase suspect to plead guilty to felony charge

A Pahrump man is facing up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to charges relating to a police chase last month.

Jeffrey Allan Horton pled guilty to felony eluding and a misdemeanor charge of drawing a deadly weapon in a threatening manner, according to Nye County prosecutor Michael Vieta-Kabel.

Horton, who waived his right to a preliminary hearing, entered his pleas Monday in Pahrump Justice Court in front Judge Ron Kent, and then was bound over to District Court for a May sentencing hearing.

Horton originally faced 11 separate charges ranging from evading/eluding a police officer with disregard, to carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.

Vieta-Kabel said “Both sides still retain the right to argue over that punishment.”

Defense Attorney Lisa Chamlee said her client also agreed to pay a fine for the charges involving the firearm Horton was in possession of, pursuant to negotiations.

“My client will plead guilty to drawing a weapon, which is a misdemeanor, and he’s agreed to pay a $640 fine,” she said. “The state won’t file an ex-felon in possession of a firearm in that case as well.”

However, Horton faces 1-to-6 years in prison on the felony eluding charge.

Vieta-Kabel also said the negotiations covered all of Horton’s charges, while suggesting Horton should learn a lesson on the importance of staying on the right side of the law in the future.

“Hopefully, this will conclude his criminal activities and he’ll never pick up another new case ever,” he said.

According to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office, Horton was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, in 45 mph zones after a deputy tried to make contact with him in the area of Medicine Man Road and Barney Street on March 30.

Horton, police said, failed to yield at numerous intersections, while at times he appeared to wait for police vehicles to catch up with him before speeding away on the 2003 high-performance Yamaha RS 600cc street bike.

Police also said Horton would turn off his rear tail lamps to further elude pursuing officers.

A total of six patrol vehicles were involved in the pursuit when it ended near Charleston Park Avenue after a patrol vehicle unintentionally struck the motorcycle as it was slowing down to go around another patrol vehicle, throwing Horton from the motorcycle.

While being handcuffed, police said Horton’s hands had to be pulled away from his front waistband where deputies learned Horton had a concealed Glock 27 40-caliber handgun with 13 rounds in the clip. Horton was transported to Desert View Hospital for treatment, then booked into the detention center.

Further investigation revealed Horton was a convicted felon and prohibited person since November 2012.

Horton is scheduled to appear in court May 18.