Little Rock man sentenced to over 17 years after 2023 police chase

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — (Eds. note: The video above contains sensitive content and is the dashcam footage of Sgt. Steven Briggs from the high-speed chase in a North Little Rock drug bust.)

A 44-year-old Little Rock man was sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison Wednesday for multiple charges after leading Arkansas State Police on a high-speed chase in 2023.

Troopers arrested Christopher Monroe of Little Rock on May 20, 2023, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Monroe, who had warrants out of Sherwood, led authorities on a chase from Sherwood through Little Rock. The vehicle reached speeds of up to 120 mph before troopers performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) to stop it near Springer Avenue and Roosevelt Road.

After stopping Monroe's vehicle, police searched the GMC Sierra Denali and found more than 300 grams of methamphetamine, 109 grams of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, marijuana and oxycodone.

A loaded Taurus Judge .45 caliber firearm and other controlled substances, cash and drug paraphernalia were located in a safe.

Monroe pleaded guilty to the fentanyl and methamphetamine crimes, as well as to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime on April 12.

According to Arkansas State Police, Monroe had previously been convicted of third-degree domestic battery, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, theft of property, and theft by receiving, as well as illegal possession of a firearm.

In addition to the 215 months imprisonment, United States District Judge Brian Miller sentenced Monroe to five years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.