A Longview man who last year led police on a high-speed chase in a carjacked vehicle and pointed a gun at an officer was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison.
Court records said Scott David Lavelle Jr., 24, fled from Clark County Sheriff’s deputies in Felida during a drug investigation the morning of June 25.
Later, Lavelle carjacked a woman at gunpoint, then led police on a chase though Hazel Dell.
The car chase ended that evening in the Lincoln neighborhood, where Lavelle lost control, crashed and ran off. At one point, he aimed his pistol at a pursuing deputy, court records said.
Officers, with the help of a police dog, captured him behind a detached garage.
Investigators had conducted two searches in North Hazel Dell and east Vancouver that day, which resulted in the seizure of more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine and $27,000 in cash. Lavelle was one of three arrested in connection to the bust.
Lavelle pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, eluding and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm as part of a plea deal.
During the carjacking, court records say, Lavelle hid under blankets in the back seat of Jennifer Thomas’ car, then grabbed her when she got in the driver’s seat.
“You caused me a lot of pain,” Thomas said in court Wednesday. “You held my arm so tightly, I can still feel your fingers bruising me.”
She told Lavelle she has recurring panic attacks and post-traumatic stress, and has difficulty leaving the house or making simple errands.
“How am I supposed to properly care for my daughter when I’m afraid to buy diapers?” she asked him.
Lavelle declined to speak, but his attorney, Jeff Staples, said what happened doesn’t fully illustrate who his client is.
Lavelle had a rough upbringing and criminal activity has long been part of his family life, Staples said.
“This is not the person he wants to be, and he is very regretful and remorseful for his actions,” Staples said.
Lavelle was also accused of possessing a makeshift knife while in jail. That charge was dropped as part of his plea. He also has pending cases in Cowlitz County that could result in more time, but attorneys will recommend any sentence there run concurrently with the Clark County case, Deputy Prosecutor Patrick Robinson said.
