Chattanooga man found guilty of dangerous police chase, marijuana possession
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man faces prison time after being convicted by a Whitfield County jury for fleeing from police and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.
Michael Benning (HCSO)
The jury found 24-year-old Michael Makale Benning guilty on Tuesday after a two-day trial.
On September 22, 2022, Benning fled from a routine traffic stop on I-75 southbound, officials stated. A pursuit began in Catoosa County and entered Whitfield County. A state trooper and police officer pursued Benning.
A press release from Whitfield County states that Benning went more than 120 mph during the chase and drove recklessly. It states these actions put other drivers in danger.
The state trooper performed a PIT maneuver, causing both him and Benning to crash.
As a result, Trooper Elsberry obtained two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Yet, he left his patrol car and identified Benning, who then fled into the woods. The press release mentions that Trooper Elsberry has since made a full recovery.
Gordon County deputies then searched for Benning and found him in the woods.
Law enforcement subsequently searched his car and found a large amount of marijuana, with intent to distribute it.
Authorities charged Benning with four counts of felony fleeing to elude a police officer, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and driving while license revoked.
Benning faces 51 total years in prison on these charges: 10 for each fleeing to elude charge, 10 for the marijuana charge and one for driving with a revoked license. Authorities took him into custody after the conviction.
His sentence hearing will take place on July 11 at 1:30 p.m.
In addition, the 24-year-old also has a pending fleeing to elude charge out of East Ridge.
Benning has been convicted of similar charges in the past, including possession with intent to distribute a schedule 4 controlled substance, and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony. Those charges came out of Rutherford County, Tennessee.
