Man who led police on 120 mph chase, found with drugs receives 30 and 20 year sentences

A 32-year-old man who led a State Trooper on a chase at speeds of up to 120 m.p.h. pled guilty Thursday to evading arrest with a vehicle and possession of methamphetamine charges and was sentenced to 30 and 20 year prison sentences.

Lonny Wayne Tillery, of Weatherford, had a parole violation warrant on April 6 shortly after midnight when a trooper noticed him run a stop sign in Weatherford, according to Assistant District Attorney Robert DuBoise who handled the case for the prosecution.  After the trooper tried to pull him over, Tillery led him on a chase that ended up in southern Parker County when he got out of the car and began fleeing on foot.  Tillery finally gave up after jumping over a barbed wire fence.  When he was inventorying Tillery’s car, the trooper found a small amount of methamphetamine in two baggies.

“Mr. Tillery’s punishment was enhanced because he had prior convictions for burglary of a habitation, evading arrest with a vehicle, intoxication assault, and possession of methamphetamine,” DuBoise said.  “He also had felony convictions for another evading arrest, theft, and possession of a prohibited substance in a correctional facility and a misdemeanor evading arrest which were strongly considered in determining his sentence.”

“Not only is Mr. Tillery a habitual offender, he has repeatedly endangered the community by fleeing from the police, seriously injuring one victim in the process,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Swain.  “That being the case, he deserved a very long sentence.”

Tillery’s case was handled before 415^th District Judge Graham Quisenberry.