The man who led authorities on a chase through Washington County is facing two felonies. Thirty-year-old Walter Joseph James Jr. is charged with third degree burglary, a class D felony, eluding and possession of marijuana. According to Washington County Attorney Shawn Showers, eluding is an aggravated misdemeanor, but the charge was upgraded to a class D felony due to the drug possession.
The Iowa City man was arrested the morning of February 13th after he asked to use the phone at a home in the 1900 block of 190th Street, or G26. This followed a chase the night before that ended with him crashing outside of West Chester near Juniper Avenue and 200th Street, and fleeing on foot. James has bonded out of the Washington County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for next Friday.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.