A National City motorist who evaded police because he had methamphetamine for sale in his car was sentenced March 17 to 56 months in state prison.
The four-year, eight-month term was handed down to Michael Wayne Babbitt, 42, by El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein who gave him credit for five and a half months spent in jail.
Deputy District Attorney David Williams III said the judge ordered Babbitt to pay $1,600 in restitution for damages to vehicles during the Aug. 15, 2014, chase. Babbitt was driving on Dehesa Road in East County and a deputy sheriff tried to pull him over at 2:07 a.m. for speeding.
Babbitt failed to yield and the chase went through several jurisdictions before it was handed off to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP made the stop in National City, and Babbitt struck a parked car in the 2500 block of Sweetwater Road.
Authorities discovered he had some methamphetamine for sale in his car and he was arrested. Babbitt pleaded guilty to possession of meth for sale and to felony evasion of police. A charge of transportation of meth was dismissed. Babbitt posted $100,000 bond, but failed to show up in court Sept. 24 and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was then arrested again.
A passenger was also arrested and she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of destroying evidence during the chase. She was placed on probation.
