Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford
Press release from the District Attorney's Office:
On Thursday afternoon of July 25th, in the area of Old Highway 8, McMinnville Police Department Detective Chris McCormick and Warren County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Justin Colwell performed a traffic stop on a white Chevy Impala driven by Leanne Cantrell. The passenger was identified as Michael Wright, Jr. The officers had prior knowledge of outstanding warrants and charges against Wright. Further, Caldwell and McCormick possessed credible evidence that Wright made previous threats to physically harm law enforcement agents should he have any encounter with them due to his fugitive status.
Upon evaluation, Lieutenant Colwell approached the driver's side of the vehicle while Detective McCormick approached the passenger side. With guns drawn, the officers ordered Cantrell and Wright to exit the vehicle. Cantrell then put the car in reverse, causing the officers to chase the car on foot. Lieutenant Caldwell was able to reach the car, open the driver-side door, and remove Cantrell from the vehicle. Wright then allegedly reached for his waistband, but Detective McCormick used his discretion and did not fire his service weapon at Wright.
It was then that Wright reached over with his left arm and placed the car into drive. He then placed his left foot on the accelerator and steered the Impala with his left hand before transitioning into the driver's seat of the white Impala. Wright proceeded to evade law enforcement as he traveled toward McMinnville city limits.
After securing Cantrell, Lieutenant Colwell and Detective McCormick returned to the patrol units and located Wright’s Chevy Impala, which had crashed in front of EMS station #4. The crash sent the vehicle flying through the parking lot, where it struck and damaged vehicles belonging to EMS station employees. Fortunately, there were no injuries during the accident.
A search of the crashed Impala yielded two police scanners, approximately 172 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, a loaded AR-15 magazine, and other ammunition rounds, according to a press release.
Cantrell was charged with accessory after the fact, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and driving on a suspended license. Wright was served with his outstanding warrants and also charged with probation violation, two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, simple possession of Schedule III, Schedule II, and Schedule IV drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful interception of radio frequency while fleeing and evading arrest by motor vehicle.
Wright’s bail was set at $385,000 on the new charges, but he is being held without bond for the probation violation, authorities said. Cantrell’s bail was set at $320,000. The Warren County Grand Jury is expected to bring additional charges.
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