Justin M. Marx, who led police on a chase of about five miles in December 2012, learned Tuesday that the escapade would end with a trip to prison.
Marx, 24, of Cumbola, must serve six to 12 months in prison, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.
Dolbin also sentenced Marx to pay costs, $550 in fines and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Dolbin made the sentence effective on April 15.
At the end of a one-day trial over which Dolbin presided, a jury convicted Marx on Feb. 4 of fleeing or eluding police. Dolbin found Marx guilty of driving under suspension, reckless driving, careless driving, unsafe passing on left and four counts of stop sign violation.
Palo Alto police had charged Marx, who was driving a red Dodge pickup truck, with leading them on a chase beginning about 4:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 2012. The chase began on Bacon Street in the borough, continued into and through Port Carbon, went into Cumbola on Route 209 and ended when Marx left the paved road and drove onto a dirt road, where he could not be followed without 4-wheel-drive vehicles, according to police.
Palo Alto police Officer Joseph J. Kavanaugh testified at the trial that he put on his lights and siren, but Marx refused to stop and reached speeds of about 65 mph on Route 209.
Marx also ran several stop signs and almost hit a minivan, which was forced to drive onto the shoulder to avoid him, during the chase, according to Kavanaugh.
The case was the first criminal jury trial for District Attorney Christine A. Holman, who took office at the end of 2013. First Assistant District Attorney Maria T. Casey assisted with the prosecution.
Jeffrey M. Markosky, Mahanoy City, represented Marx.Defendant: Justin M. Marx
Age: 24
Residence: Cumbola
Crimes committed: Fleeing or eluding police, driving under suspension, reckless driving, careless driving, unsafe passing on left and four counts of stop sign violation
Prison sentence: Six to 12 months