SEQUIM — Charges have been filed in Clallam County District Court against a 29-year-old Sequim man in connection with a wild car chase around the city last week.
The chase allegedly involved parties in a drug deal gone bad.
Christopher Lee Haltom faces a charge of reckless driving with property damage, along with third-degree theft, possession of less than 40 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
City Attorney Craig Ritchie said Haltom’s arraignment on the misdemeanor charges was set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday in District Court in the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office declined to charge Haltom as a felon, but the Sequim Police Department last week cited Haltom, and Sequim Prosecuting Attorney Chris Shea filed the misdemeanor charges in District Court last week.
The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed felony charges Friday against two other men involved in the car chase through Sequim on Wednesday, which police said resulted from a drug deal gone bad.
Haltom, the man leading the chase, was not charged on any felony for lack of probable cause, a deputy county prosecuting attorney said.
Other charges
Jeremy J. Paapke, 20, of Port Angeles was charged in Superior Court with second-degree assault, first-degree robbery, reckless driving and hit and run with property damage.
James C. Charles, 28, of Port Angeles was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.
Police said Paapke, the driver, and Charles chased Haltom’s car at speeds of up to 80 mph along busy city streets and county roads shortly before schools let out at 3 p.m.
The chase ended in a collision and crash at the corner of Hendrickson Road and North Sequim Avenue, just north of the Sequim school grounds.
Chase triggered
Sequim police originally reported the men were involved in the purchase of methadone, which triggered the chase.
Paapke and Charles allegedly had given Haltom about $400 cash to purchase the drug. Haltom took the money, got into his vehicle and fled, with Paapke and Charles in hot pursuit, authorities said.
Paapke was being held in jail Monday on $75,000 bond.
Charles originally was held on $50,000 bond, which was reduced to $10,000. He also was still in jail Monday.
Haltom’s bail was set at $2,500 and also was in the Clallam jail.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
