Couple arrested after alleged chase appears in court on Thursday

ROCK SPRINGS – A couple allegedly involved in a chase that began in Uinta County and ended near the Love’s Travel Stop in Jamestown were first charged with a felony in connection with the incident Thursday morning.

Alex Jeavaunie Hall, 21, and Imani Nchelle Price, 21, both of Fredericksburg, Virginia, appeared before District Judge Craig Jones.

Hall is charged with 11 misdemeanors and felonies. His felony charges include illegal possession of marijuana with intent to traffic, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000; conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances, which also carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000; theft of a firearm, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000; fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Hall’s misdemeanor charges include obstructing a peace officer, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $1,000; possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies and misdemeanors, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of $750; unauthorized use of a vehicle, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $1,000; unlawful contact without personal injury, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a fine of $750; reckless driving, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a fine of $750; no liability insurance on a vehicle, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a fine of $500; and driving without a license, which carries a fine of not more than $750.

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Price is charged with conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and obstructing a peace officer.

Hall was set at $85,000 cash or surety bond, while Price was set at $30,000. Sweetwater County Assistant Prosecutor and District Attorney Augustus Wagner requested $100,000 cash or surety bond for Hall, citing aggravating circumstances such as his lack of local ties, his alleged possession of an assault weapon and an alleged attempt to steal a second vehicle. Hall requested a lower bail amount because he has a child due in September. Jones approved the bail reduction, lowering it by $15,000 from the amount originally requested. Price also requested a lower bail amount because she is getting by with support from friends and family and has debts, but Jones denied the request.

Hall’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 12 at 3:30 p.m., while Price’s hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. the same day.

The alleged incident

According to court documents, on June 4, Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Luis Tapia Vera was traveling in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80 when he noticed a black BMW traveling quickly in the eastbound lanes of the interstate. Using radar, the trooper observed the vehicle reportedly traveling in excess of 140 mph. Trooper Tapia Vera then notified WHP dispatch of his observation and another trooper, Scott Neilson, began searching for the vehicle. He found it near mile 39 and turned on his vehicle’s hazard lights, at which point the BMW allegedly passed him on the shoulder. Neilson used his radar and observed the vehicle reportedly traveling 170 mph. Neilson lost sight of the BMW and troopers continued searching into Sweetwater County. Troopers stationed at various locations along the interstate also failed to see the BMW.

Tapia Vera used the median crossing near milepost 68 and headed west toward Granger when he noticed the BLM in the eastbound lane. The trooper used the crossing again and began pursuing the car again, and witnessed the car allegedly pull away from him and pass a semi-truck on the right shoulder.

Tapia Vera lost sight of the BMW due to heavy traffic on the highway at mile marker 71. When Tapia Vera notified WHP dispatch of the incident, Neilson deployed spike tape at mile marker 77. The tape deflated the BMW’s tires and the BMW continued down the highway at a speed reportedly about 100 mph.

The BMW left the road at mile marker 86 and struck the south side of the cattle fence along the exit ramp and Covered Wagon Road. It then struck a stop sign at the end of the exit ramp. The vehicle continued to travel, bounced approximately 40 feet short of the yield fence and was stopped.

Hall and Price allegedly ran to the Love’s Travel Stop after exiting the vehicle. A woman who was pumping up her tires noticed Hall approaching her and asked her to give him a ride. He continued to ask for a ride and allegedly grabbed her by the shoulders when she declined. Hall then allegedly opened the driver’s side of the vehicle and she pushed him away from the door, then jumped in and locked all the doors. Hall was seen noticing the police arrival and allegedly ran to the south side of the Love’s building. Police were able to arrest Hall and Price shortly afterward.

As Tapia Vera approached the wrecked BMW, he noticed the smell of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officer Clancey Gines showed Tapia Vera a shipping box believed to be filled with raw marijuana. Gines also told him that he found an AR-15 style rifle in the vehicle that had been reported stolen, according to an NCIC report.

After being advised of his rights, Hall allegedly told officers he did not have a valid driver’s license or insurance and said the BMW belonged to the mother of his child. He also said the marijuana was his and that he found it and the AR-15 on the side of the road in Utah. Tapia Vera contacted the owner of the BMW, who stated she purchased the vehicle in her name because Hall had bad credit. The purchase was made in February and on the condition that Hall provide his own insurance and only drive in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.

A search of the vehicle revealed 13 vacuum-sealed packages of suspected marijuana weighing 7,150 grams; four glass containers of suspected THC wax weighing 3,670 grams; a liquor bottle suspected to be laced with liquid THC weighing approximately 1,224 grams with packaging; several labelled containers and baggies of suspected raw marijuana weighing approximately 3,250 grams with packaging; three small containers of suspected THC wax weighing approximately 253 grams with packaging; two suspected THC vaporizers with cartridges weighing approximately 60 grams; and a piece of aluminium foil containing suspected THC shatter weighing approximately 16 grams with packaging.

A check of Hall’s criminal record revealed two prior convictions for fleeing from a serious crime in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.