Elyria man gets community control for fleeing police in March

An Elyria man has avoided a prison sentence for fleeing police and assaulting a deputy following a chase in March. Michael Whitson-Harris Jr., 25, of Melvyn Lane, was sentenced Monday in Lorain County Common Pleas Court to 30 months community control, or 2½ years under the supervision of the county Adult Probation Department. Whitson-Harris faced felony charges of failure to comply, assault on a law enforcement officer and obstructing official business, and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving under suspension. Prison isn't mandatory on any of those charges under Ohio law. Judge Chris Cook ruled that Whitson-Harris can't leave Ohio without permission, must submit to random drug tests, get a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation and pay court costs. He suspended Whitson-Harris' driver's license for three years starting Oct. 1. Whitson-Harris was arrested March 13 after he refused to stop his silver Pontiac Grand Prix, which didn't have a license plate, in the area of Huron and Lowell streets and fled from Elyria police. The chase ended near Barbara and Allen streets where Whitson-Harris and Amiyah Smith, 19, of Elyria got out and ran. Whitson-Harris hit a Lorain County sheriff's deputy, was shocked with a Taser and arrested. A BB gun and drug paraphernalia were seized. State Highway Patrol troopers also were involved in the chase. Smith pleaded no contest to misdemeanor drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct charges in Elyria Municipal Court. She was given three days in jail, which she can avoid by doing 36 hours of community service, fined $350 and placed on probation for five years.