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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: July 23, 2008
The Ride is Over for Reckless Motorcyclist
Commit Crime? Not in the Santa Clarita Valley — A Canyon Country man, Joseph Milhoan, MW/21, was sentenced to 16 months in state prison today for his involvement in several incidents of reckless driving and evading Deputy Sheriffs in the Santa Clarita Valley over an 18 month period. The incidents, which reportedly involved the same motorcycle and rider, occurred when deputies and California Highway Patrol Officers attempted to pull the motorcyclist over for various traffic violations, reckless driving, and no license plates on more than six separate occasions beginning in November 2006 and ending in May of 2008. Additional information from the original press release and arrest can be found at the following link: Ride is Over for Reckless Motorcyclist — posting 1.
The defendant appeared in Santa Clarita Superior Court where he agreed to a plea deal which included one felony count of Evading a Peace Officer and misdemeanor counts of Driving on a Suspended License, Reckless Driving, and Probation Violation. He was then sentenced to 16 months in state prison. The defendant, who has been in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since his arrest, has been transfered back to the Los Angeles County Jail were he will continue serving his sentence pending transfer to a California State Prison.
"This is a perfect example of how serious our deputies and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office are taking these types of reckless actions and offenses," said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. "This type of behavior and decisions by motorcyclists and motorist will not be tolerated as they too often end in tragedy. Although this young man is losing his freedom for a while, he could have lost his life or seriously injured an innocent person," He added.
Motorcycle related facts: Of the 60 motorcycle related accidents we had in the City of Santa Clarita last year, nearly 40% of them involved unlicensed motorcycle drivers. Parents need to know that of the four fatal traffic collisions last year, three of them were motorcycle riders and this year isn't looking any better with two fatalities to date. On behalf of the Sheriff's Department and the City of Santa Clarita, Captain Anthony La Berge would like to urge parents to enroll their teens in a motorcycle safety class before purchasing a motorcycle or allowing them to ride a motorcycle. It is a fact that unfamiliarity with the motorcycle and failure to complete a motorcycle safety test through the DMV, as well as speeding were direct contributing factors in nearly every fatal motorcycle accident in the Santa Clarita Valley in 2007.
For more motorcycle related facts, training classes, and safety information, visit the following link: Motorcycle Safety.
The investigation into this incident has concluded. -ref 08370
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
