COEUR d'ALENE - A 31-year-old Clarkston, Wash., man was sentenced to serve up to 15 years in state prison for drug trafficking and eluding police in a high-speed chase.

Patrick S. Dalton was sentenced Thursday by 1st District Court Judge Benjamin Simpson, who ordered that the first five years of his sentence will be fixed. The remaining 10 years will be indeterminate.

Simpson imposed a $10,000 fine and reimbursement of $500 to the Idaho State Police for laboratory costs.

Dalton pleaded guilty to the offenses, which related to a Feb. 6 arrest by the Kootenai County Violent Crimes Task Force. At the time of his arrest, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said Dalton was a known violent offender and Skinhead gang member.

Dalton was to meet an individual who was working with the task force, but as he approached he saw officers and fled in his vehicle.

Dalton eventually lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Northwest Boulevard and west Hubbard Street, crashing into the landscaping of the center median. His vehicle became high-centered.

He then fled on foot, discarding a bag of methamphetamine as he ran. He was tracked down by a sheriff's office K-9 unit.

After being caught, another bag of meth was found on him. The meth totaled almost 70 grams, or approximately 2.5 ounces.

Two passengers in Dalton's car were also taken into custody and charged at the time with controlled substance violations.

Dalton's criminal history includes seven prior felony convictions, including manufacturing controlled substances, possession of controlled substances, and attempts to elude.

Kootenai County Prosecutors Barry McHugh said, "These convictions show a continuing inability to avoid methamphetamine use and trafficking."

He added, "Then, when faced with arrest, Mr. Dalton flees and placed himself, officers, and the public in jeopardy."