Oregon man pleads guilty to high speed car chase

COLFAX — An Oregon man pled guilty during Superior Court, Friday, Aug. 30, to leading Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputies on a high speed car chase in Colfax.

Gordon, Jr. Griffin, 41, of McMinnville, Ore., pled guilty to attempting to elude a police vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of cocaine.

Superior Court Judge Gary Libey said the state moved to dismiss the other charges of third-degree driving with a suspended license and two counts of first degree assault.

According to public record, Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Handley and Whitman County Sgt. Keith Cooper were patrolling at 1:14 a.m., July 19, when they noticed a red Subaru Legacy driving up and down Main Street for approximately 15 minutes.

Griffin is reported to have hit high speeds of 85 miles per hour traveling on Mill Street, almost hit the officer’s car head-on and crashed into a power pole at Mill and Harrison Street, resting in a front lawn.

Sgt. Cooper asked Griffin for consent to search the car, Griffin complied and stated that he ran due to a suspended license and not wanting to get pulled over.

Reports show upon search of the car deputies found two plastic bags containing cocaine, a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine, two needles and a “tooter” pipe in the center console.

Handley reported that upon inspection estimated damage to a fiber optic box and fiber optic wires to be several thousand dollars.

Libey agreed to the prosecution and the defense sentence of 16 months in prison with a drug offender sentencing alternative, followed by eight months community custody.

“Obviously a well thought out plea negotiation by both sides, that the court finds to be reasonable and a good solution to the sentencing,” said Libey.