KANSAS CITY, MO. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Missouri, Western), published as received.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

George S. Schrand, Jr., 36, was found guilty of the charge contained in a May 1, 2018, superseding indictment.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that on March 13, 2017, an Independence, Mo., police officer saw Schrand, who was driving a red 1996 Ford Mustang, rev the vehicle’s engine and accelerate from the intersection of East Golf Avenue and Home Street in a reckless manner. The officer activated his emergency equipment in order to conduct a traffic stop, but Schrand refused to stop and a high-speed chase ensued.

During the chase, Schrand’s vehicle traveled at speeds of 80 to 90 miles per hour throughout residential areas and on city thoroughfares. Schrand traveled into oncoming traffic and nearly collided with another vehicle. Schrand’s vehicle was eventually disabled by police stop sticks in Kansas City, Mo. Schrand exited the vehicle and fled on foot with officers in pursuit. Schrand attempted to elude officers by jumping over a fence near 18th Street and Bennington. A black backpack was located near the fence that Schrand jumped over during the foot pursuit.

A police service dog discovered Schrand hiding beneath a vehicle that was parked behind a residence on South Ewing Street.

Officers searched Schrand’s backpack and found several clear plastic zip lock bags that contained a total of 179 grams of pure methamphetamine. Schrand’s billfold, with his driver’s license and other identity documents, was also in the backpack, along with marijuana, eight tablets that were identified as controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Upon his arrest, Schrand was in possession a clear plastic baggie that contained methamphetamine and $20,950.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for less than an hour before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.

Under federal statutes, Schrand is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Moeder and D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department.