Pana Man Headed to Prison for Drug, Traffic Offenses

A Pana man has received prison time for criminal offenses in Shelby County.

48-year-old Christopher Grear pleaded guilty this week to counts of unlawful participation in methamphetamine manufacture and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. Grear was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison on the meth charge and a concurrent three years on the aggravated fleeing charge.

Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mudgette attempted to stop Grear for a traffic violation in March of 2021 on Illinois Route 16 in Tower Hill. Grear failed to stop and a 38-minute pursuit ensued covering more than 15 miles through Tower Hill and surrounding rural areas. During the pursuit, meth and drug producing materials were tossed out of the vehicle through the sun roof. The pursuit ended when Grear's vehicle became disabled after he drove into a field.

Materials commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were found inside the stopped vehicle.