California man faces felony drug charges

A 23-year-old California man has been charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors in connection with a highspeed chase from Topaz Lake that resulted in the seizure of 4.2 pounds of dried marijuana and 23.1 pounds of marijuana plants.

Senior Judge Steven McMorris continued an arraignment for James Robert Riggs, 23, of Weldon, Calif., until Friday morning after the suspect's father said he wanted to hire an attorney for his son.

He was charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale and attempting to elude a police officer, both felonies; and driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while being under the influence of a controlled substance, obstructing a police officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.

Riggis is in Douglas County Jail on $14,985 bail.

Douglas and Mono deputies were involved in the seizure late Sunday after a Mono County deputy spotted a vehicle crossing the double yellow line in Coleville at about 11:30 p.m.

The deputy turned on his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop when the driver of the vehicle, identified as Riggs, turned off his lights and accelerated to speeds of up to 85 mph along the winding highway leading to the Nevada state line.

During the pursuit, Riggs crossed over the yellow line into the opposite lane several times.

After crossing the state line, Riggs drove onto a dirt road, where he collided with several boulders.

Riggs jumped out of the car and fled the scene, with the Mono County deputy hot on his heels.

Douglas County deputies arrived in time to help the Mono officer apprehend Riggs - who resisted and had to be tased - into custody.

Riggs was allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana when he was apprehended.

He reportedly told officers that he had been using methamphetamine for the past three days and smoked marijuana earlier in the day.

An inventory of Riggs' vehicle revealed the marijuana. More paraphernalia related to the packaging and sales of marijuana was also discovered in the vehicle.