Thomas sentenced to additional 15 months in prison for role in car chase

Fort Scott, Kan. -- Edward E. Thomas, already faced with spending the next five years in prison, will have to serve an additional 15 months, a judge ruled Thursday.

Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward sentenced Thomas, 44, with 15 months of prison time after pleading guilty to fleeing to elude law enforcement.

In November 2005, a Bourbon County deputy sheriff attempted to pull Thomas over on a rural county road. According to court records, the deputy knew at the time that Thomas was facing rape charges. Thomas sped away from the deputy at speeds that reached 85 miles an hour. Thomas eluded the deputy.

He later told his wife over the phone about how he outran the a sheriff's deputy and he wouldn't be going to jail, according to court records. Thomas' wife taped the conversation.

Last month, Thomas was sentenced to five years for molesting a 15 year old. Immediately following that sentencing, at the same court appearance, Thomas pleaded guilty to fleeing to elude, a felony.

Ward had the choice to run the sentences consecutively or concurrently. He chose consecutively, which means the 15 months will be tacked onto the five-year sentence.