Yakima man sentenced

COLFAX — A Yakima man arrested for leading deputies on a car chase in a stolen vehicle pled guilty in Superior Court, Friday, April 26.

Christopher Lee Cornelius, 33, of Yakima, went before Superior Court Judge Gary Libey on Friday, April 26, and was sentenced to a year in prison for felony eluding and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Cornelius was booked into the Whitman County Jail on Friday, April 13, for eluding deputies in a stolen vehicle.

According to reports, deputies from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office identified a stolen vehicle parked near a local Colfax business downtown.

Upon deputies making contact, reports say Cornelius refused to comply, fleeing from the scene in the vehicle westbound on SR 26 at speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour.

Reports state, the car Cornelius was driving appeared to be having mechanical issues, forcing him to pull over to the side of the road near LaCrosse.

Cornelius was taken into custody, with deputies obtaining a search warrant of the vehicle.

According to reports, during the search warrant deputies located methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a loaded 9 mm handgun.

Reports state Cornelius currently has an active Department of Corrections warrant for charges related to robbery through Yakima County.

Cornelius was booked into the county jail on charges of driving under the influence, attempting to elude a police vehicle, two counts of knowingly possessing controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearm first degree, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle.