Man Who Led Police on a Car Chase Trying to Destroy Evidence of Methamphetamine Smuggling Sentenced in Federal Court

DOJ Press

MOBILE, AL – A Springdale, Arkansas, man who led Saraland police and other law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase on Interstate 65 on July 9, 2021, was sentenced today to 210 months in federal prison for his participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice.  

According to court documents, 22-year-old Umberto Rosales Mendoza, was identified as the driver of the Honda Accord that was traveling 80 miles per hour on the interstate through Saraland, Alabama, near Exit 13 in Mobile County.  A Saraland police officer attempted to stop the vehicle after activating his blue lights and siren, but Mendoza abruptly changed lanes and exited the interstate at Celeste Road.  Mendoza ran the red light at the intersection and traveled at a high rate of speed onto Shelton Beach Road.  There, the passenger in the Honda threw out a black plastic trash bag later found to contain approximately 12 kilograms of methamphetamine ice when it was seized by the police.  Mendoza crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, passing some vehicles and running others off the road.  Mendoza continued to Interstate 65 southbound, and there reached speeds of 114 miles per hour, even passing vehicles in the left emergency lane.  Mendoza attempted to exit the interstate at the Dauphin Street exit, where he ran another red light and caused an innocent civilian to strike the Honda on the passenger side.  Mendoza the jumped out of the Honda and fled on foot across southbound Interstate 65, narrowly avoiding being hit by multiple vehicles before he was apprehended by a Saraland police officer.

Both Mendoza and his passenger, co-defendant Luis Alexander Guzman Calderon, also of Springdale, Arkansas, entered guilty pleas to the federal charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Jeffery U. Beaverstock imposed the 210-month sentence in Mendoza’s case this afternoon.  The judge further ordered that Mendoza would also serve five years on supervised release following his imprisonment.  As conditions of his supervision, Mendoza will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion, and he will undergo mental health testing and treatment.  No fine was imposed but the judge ordered that Mendoza pay $100 in special assessments.   
 
The case was investigated by the Saraland Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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