Detroit Lakes man charged with fleeing sheriff's deputy, possessing Ecstasy after high-speed chase

A Detroit Lakes man is facing felony charges for fleeing a Becker County Sheriff's deputy and possessing Ecstasy, after being arrested following a short chase Oct. 27.

Tad Isaac Butcher, 25, 25786 County Road 22, Detroit Lakes, is charged with fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and fifth-degree controlled substance crime, possession.

According to court records:

The incident began around 4:30 p.m. Oct 27, when Butcher's probation officer thought Butcher was intoxicated while he was being investigated on allegations of DWI.

Butcher then left his home in a silver Chevrolet Impala.

A Becker County Sheriff's Deputy met the vehicle while heading west on County Road 6. The deputy said that the suspect's car rapidly accelerated, with speeds approaching 90-100 miles per hour.

Butcher lost control of the vehicle near the intersection with County Road 15, at which point it went into a ditch and hit a power pole.

The deputy said that Butcher put something in his mouth from a blue-colored bottle.

An orange-colored pill found in the front seat of Butcher's car tested positive for Ecstasy.

Butcher reportedly told EMS workers that he ingested approximately eight Ecstasy pills.

The deputy said that the suspect told him on the way to St. Mary's Innovis hospital in Detroit Lakes that "my brakes were bad, otherwise you wouldn't be talking to me. I'm pretty sure I would have outrun you."

Butcher's girlfriend met authorities at the hospital and reportedly said that Butcher sent a text message during the chase telling her he was going on the run.

Butcher was released on a $30,000 bond.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled in front of Becker County District Judge Joe Evans on Nov. 23.