Guilty Verdict in Felony Eluding Trial

District Attorney's Office Secures Guilty Verdict in Felony Eluding a Peace Officer Case

May 26, 2016

Reno, Nevada

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announces that a Reno man has been found guilty of felony eluding after a two day jury trial in District Court. Based on the defendant’s prior criminal history that includes 13 prior felony convictions, this office will be seeking habitual criminal sentencing.

Mathew Paul Williams, 31(DOB 7/23/84) from Reno was found guilty on Tuesday afternoon in Washoe County District Court on one count of Eluding a Police Officer. The jury deliberated around 2 hours before reaching a guilty verdict. 

The case against Williams began on January 29, 2015 when the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) attempted to stop the defendant for speeding.  The NHP trooper spotted Williams going northbound on Interstate 580 at an estimated speed of 90 mph. Williams initially stopped and provided the trooper with a California identification card. During the stop, the trooper discovered that Williams was wanted on a felony probation violation warrant for an underlying burglary charge out of California.  Williams fled when the trooper attempted to take him into custody.  A pursuit followed and Williams eventually crashed after attempting to turn onto State Route 431.  William fled from the crash scene before troopers arrived and was not immediately located. NHP submitted the case to this office and requested a warrant for Williams.  He was arrested in September, 2015 following a routine traffic stop.  

During trial, the prosecutor presented evidence regarding the search for the Defendant, which included multiple law enforcement agencies, K-9 units and the WCSO helicopter.   

Williams is set to be sentenced on July 14, 2016 before Judge Lidia Stiglich. The eluding charge carries a sentence of up to 6 years in prison.  However, this office filed a notice of intent to seek habitual criminal sentencing for Williams based on his criminal history which includes 13 felony convictions in California for crimes including burglary, possession of controlled substance, grand larceny, commercial burglary, forgery and theft.  If sentenced as a habitual criminal, Williams could be sentenced to a term of 25 years in prison, with parole after 10 years to a term of life in prison, with or without the possibility of parole.