Motorcycle pursuit leads to drug arrest for Ledbetter man

A motorcycle pursuit in Livingston County leads to a drug arrest for a Ledbetter man.

The Livingston County Sheriff's Office said a deputy spotted a motorcycle traveling eastbound from Lakeview Drive toward Golden Meadow Drive in Ledbetter at about 10:30 p.m. Friday. The deputy reportedly observed the rider, later identified as 47-year-old Joseph Belt of Ledbetter, commit several traffic violations and then attempted a traffic stop. Belt sped up trying to flee. 

The pursuit continued for around 35 miles through Livingston County before Belt crashed the motorcycle in the grassy area in the middle of the  US 60/Lola Road intersection in Salem. Belt then allegedly tried to flee on foot but was captured quickly. He was checked and released at Livingston Hospital.

A search of Belt is said to have uncovered baggies with almost 1.6 grams of what was believed to be methamphetamine plus a glass pipe with meth residue inside. 

Belt was charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, fleeing or evading police, and traffic violations. He was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.