Steven Linsey. Provided by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
A 53-year-old California man, who led officers on a 100 mph chase through two states, has been charged with felony eluding, with other charges pending.
Steve Obama Lindsey appeared Monday before Justice Richard Glasson, who was filling in for East Fork Justice Tom Perkins.
Glasson denied Lindsey’s request that his $50,000 bail be reduced.
The chase began near Echo Summit in California around 9:56 a.m. Friday when Lindsey, driving a black Chevy Impala, failed to yield for a routine traffic stop.
At speeds of 90-100 mph, authorities pursued him along Highway 50 as he sped through the Stateline casino core and turned east up Kingsbury Grade.
Nevada Highway Patrol officers deployed spike strips at the bottom of Kingsbury Grade in Carson Valley. Lindsey reportedly hit 100 mph coming down the roadway and missed the spikes. He then turned left on Foothill Road and headed north.
Authorities closed down surrounding highways and prepared to intercept him at the intersection of Highway 395 and Jacks Valley Road. Jacks Valley Elementary School was alerted and placed on lockdown.
Around 10:15 a.m., Lindsey yielded just north of Genoa, near the intersection of Jacks Valley Road and Trail Court, and was taken into custody.
No one was injured in the incident. A Douglas drug dog was brought in to help search the vehicle. Suspected marijuana and pain medication were located inside.
The defendant told Glasson his legal name was Steve Obama Lindsey. He had been booked under the name Steven L. Linsey.
Glasson appointed Derrick Lopez to represent Lindsey who said he earned $3,000 a month, and was to receive $15,000 prior to his retirement next month.
Glasson said Lindsey may have to pay for his attorney.
“I requested a public defender three days ago. I was denied by these gentlemen (deputies). You can correct this now by dismissing this charge,” Lindsey told the judge.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have a DeLorean flux capacitor,” said Glasson, referring to the iconic time machine from “Back to the Future.”
Lindsey also said he was denied access to a telephone Friday so he could make a call.
Undersheriff Paul Howell said after court that all booking cells are equipped with phones.
Lindsey argued that he never saw Douglas sheriff’s deputies chasing him, an element of the criminal complaint on the felony charge.
“First of all, the charge is entirely unjust. I never saw anybody of the county of Douglas pursuing me. I saw the California Highway Patrol, but those guys (Douglas deputies) were so slow. I was only speeding. I was going fast. This is a ridiculous felony, probably in any state,” Lindsey said.
Prosecutor Tom Gregory asked that the bail remain, saying Lindsey may be facing a fugitive warrant out of California. Gregory said he considered Lindsey a flight risk.
He said Lindsey had several arrests in his criminal history as recently as February including trespassing, contempt, disorderly conduct, battery and challenging a fight.
“All those charges were dropped,” Lindsey said.
His next court appearance is today.