A 30-year-old Apple Valley man is facing two felony counts after what police describe as a high-speed motorcycle chase in Eagan that hit about 107 mph and ended with the recovery of suspected cocaine, according to court documents.
The March 9 pursuit began at about 9:58 p.m. near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Cliff Road, the criminal complaint states. Charging papers identify the rider as Jonathon Ceary Duncan of Apple Valley, who is accused of fifth-degree controlled-substance possession and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
As reported by Limitless Media News, prosecutors asked for bail to be set at $20,000 without conditions or $15,000 with conditions. A judge later ordered bail at $20,000 without conditions and $10,000 with conditions. Court records reviewed by Limitless show Duncan remained in custody at the Dakota County Jail at the time of publication. According to Limitless, the article on the case is based on a Dakota County criminal complaint and was written by William Wight.
Legal consequences
Under Minnesota law, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle is a felony under Minn. Stat. §609.487 that can carry a prison sentence of up to three years, with harsher penalties if a chase causes serious injury or death. Minnesota Statute §609.487 also allows for license revocation and affects how sentences are imposed.
Possession of controlled substances is prosecuted under Minn. Stat. §152.025. Whether a fifth-degree possession charge is treated as a felony can depend on the quantity of drugs and other circumstances laid out in the statute. Minnesota Statute §152.025 and guidance from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission explain how a fleeing count and a drug count can be sentenced together.
How police say the pursuit unfolded
According to the criminal complaint described by Limitless Media News, an officer initially pulled over two motorcycles for traffic violations. The complaint states that one rider then made a U-turn and took off.
The fleeing motorcycle is accused of running a red light at Pilot Knob Road and Cliff Road and accelerating to roughly 107 mph. Officers reported seeing items fall from the bike during the pursuit. Investigators later recovered a black glove and two small plastic bags that field-tested positive for cocaine, with reported weights of 5.58 grams and 1.66 grams.
Officers also reported finding a large knife on the rider. The complaint states that the motorcycle’s registration was expired and that Duncan’s Minnesota driving privileges were revoked at the time of the incident.
What happens next
The case has been assigned to Dakota County District Court. Future hearing dates and the full register of actions will be posted in the state’s public court records system. Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) allows members of the public to search by name or case number for district court filings and schedules.
As the case moves through the system, bail decisions, any continuances, and formal arraignment or pretrial dates will appear in the court’s register of actions through MCRO.
The charges are allegations, and Duncan is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. Local residents who have questions about scheduling or public documents can search MCRO or contact Dakota County court administration for more information.
