A Licking man is facing multiple felony charges after leading law enforcement on a high‑speed pursuit in Texas County and being found with more than 40 grams of methamphetamine.
According to a probable cause statement from the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on February 20 after Houston police reported that a gold minivan had fled from a traffic stop. Deputy Sean Bonner later spotted a gold minivan with an inoperable headlight near State Route B and recognized the driver as Roger E. Burgess of Licking, who is known to have a revoked license.
When Bonner activated his emergency lights, Burgess allegedly drove around the patrol vehicle and fled east on Route B, reaching speeds over 94 miles per hour. Deputies say Burgess repeatedly drove in the wrong lane, creating hazards for oncoming traffic. The pursuit continued north on Route AY until Burgess failed to make a turn onto Ashley Creek Road, causing the vehicle to crash and become disabled.
Burgess then fled on foot but surrendered after Bonner caught up to him. A search of the area where Burgess ran turned up a bag containing a white crystalline substance. Deputies also found bulk empty baggies and a digital scale inside the vehicle, along with a black bag Burgess claimed as his, which contained a syringe and more empty bags.
Field tests showed methamphetamine on the scale and in the recovered bag, which weighed approximately 41.5 grams. Deputies noted the quantity and packaging materials were consistent with drug distribution.
Burgess is charged with first‑degree drug trafficking, resisting arrest, driving while revoked, and multiple traffic violations.
