JOSHUA WOLFSON Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 7, 2008 12:00 am
A man who led police on a high-speed pursuit in December pleaded guilty Thursday to charges he rammed a squad car and steered toward officers who were trying to stop him.
Manuel Cirilio Moreno's guilty plea comes as part of an agreement with prosecutors that would result in an eight- to 10-year prison sentence when he is sentenced in about six weeks on charges including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
As part of the deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss two counts against Moreno of assaulting a police officer.
The pursuit began on the evening of Dec. 14 when a Natrona County sheriff's deputy tried to stop Moreno's Dodge Durango for a traffic violation at 13th Street and Wyoming Boulevard.
As the chase continued through Casper, the Durango reached speeds of 80 to 90 mph at times. At one point, the sport utility vehicle collided with a passenger car, said Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen.
Moreno, 30, also steered the Durango at officers and struck a squad car, Itzen said. The chase ended when an officer rammed the Durango. Moreno began to run away, but police used a Taser to subdue him.
During the chase, a passenger in the Durango was let out of the vehicle and told police she had been carjacked. She later admitted she hadn't been carjacked and was actually Moreno's girlfriend, according to police.
Moreno remains in custody at Natrona County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.