Chris W. Brumitt, 53, of Ocean Park, was sentenced to a year in prison for delivery of marijuana to a minor and possession of methamphetamine. The action took place in Pacific County Superior Court Friday.
"While possession of small quantities of marijuana is legal, you cannot provide the marijuana to a minor, and for that reason we believed the year in prison was appropriate," Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain told the Herald. "We must protect our children and hold those who endanger them accountable. In this case, the minor was found with marijuana at school and reported receiving the marijuana from Brumitt. The minor also reported smoking the marijuana previously with him."
Officers from the Long Beach Police Department and deputies of Pacific County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for Brumitt's trailer and located marijuana and methamphetamine. Brumitt admitted providing marijuana to the minor and also indicated he had the methamphetamine in his trailer. Following Brumitt's release from prison he will be on supervision with the Department of Corrections for 12 months and will be required to complete drug treatment.
Matthew M. Perason, 31, of Seaview entered a guilty plea to attempting to elude a police vehicle and escape from community custody. Sentencing is set for January 22.
Pearson was wanted for failure to report to his supervising Department of Corrections Officer and a warrant for his arrest issued.
Deputies with the Pacific County Sheriff's Office, who were aware of Pearson's warrant, observed Pearson driving near 306th Place in Ocean Park and attempted to stop the vehicle, but other vehicles failed to give way to the deputy's emergency lights and Pearson was able to momentarily slip away. However, other officers in the area were able to locate the vehicle Person was driving on U Street and blocked the lane. Pearson drove off the roadway and around the officer and the pursuit continued. Pearson was eventually able to elude officers when he drove through field.
Months passed before Pearson was eventually located and taken into custody on both his outstanding warrant for escape and eluding the police, both felony charges. Pearson faces 22 to 29 months in prison, but his attorney wants the court to agree to a chemical dependency treatment alternative, which would reduce his sentence to 12 months in prison and 12 months on probation.
"I view Mr. Pearson's request as nothing more than a request to do less time in prison, which, in my view he has clearly earned by committing eight prior felonies and having twice being granted treatment alternative sentences," McClain said. "The legislature has made it possible for drug offenders to receive sentences like this, but I believe Mr. Pearson is a prime example that these alternatives generally do not work and at some point we have to say enough is enough. For me, once would have been enough, and that certainly is my position in this case, especially when it comes to protecting our community."