Humboldt County Office of the District Attorney release:

Today, Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming announced that on January 17, 2019, a Humboldt County Superior Court jury found 40-year-old Dennis Hicks guilty of felony reckless evading of an officer, as well as driving with a suspended license for a prior driving under the influence conviction. The most recent convictions stem from a July 2, 2018 incident on Highway 101 near Myers Flat, when Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy Pryor attempted a traffic stop of the defendant for vehicle code violations and because the deputy knew of a felony warrant for the defendant for his failure to comply with the terms of his felony probation for auto theft. An ensuing high-speed chase included Hicks driving on the wrong side of the highway and exiting it via an onramp. Public-safety concerns led the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to cancel the pursuit; Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies later found and arrested Hicks.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Steward prosecuted the case. Joe Judge of the Humboldt County Office of Conflict Counsel represented the defendant.  The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office appreciates the time and effort of the jury.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2019 before Judge Timothy Canning. Hicks faces up to 3 years in prison.