On May 10th, Todd Mission Police Officer Ryan Schroeder attempted a traffic stop on a motorcycle on FM 1774 in Todd Mission. The officer witnessed the motorcycle using the turn lane to pass another vehicle.
The motorcycle failed to stop for the patrol unit, then accelerated and passed additional vehicles in the turn lane. The high speed pursuit entered into Waller County as the motorcycle fled at high speeds, passing in no passing zones and driving into oncoming traffic.
Officer Schroeder was finally able to take the driver, Sheldon Wayne Stankevitz, into custody after an 8-mile pursuit.
His trial began on Tuesday, May 15th and Stankevitz was found guilty. The punishment evidence was then presented to the jury. The jury learned that, in 2007, Stankevitz was convicted for a 1997 Delivery of a Controlled Substance case, after failing to meet the requirements of his probation.
Evading Detention in a Vehicle is a 3rd degree felony. Due to his prior conviction, Stankevitz faced a punishment range of 2-20 years in prison.
After hearing punishment evidence, the jury sentenced the defendant to 7 years in prison.
Stankevitz was taken into custody in the courtroom.
