News File Photo The Alpena County courthouse is seen in this August 2021 News archive photo.

ALPENA — Judge Ed Black in Alpena’s 26th Circuit Court on Monday gave Leonard Gray, 18, a six-month sentence for leading police on a high-speed chase in August.

The downstate man sped, pursued by police, through Alpena and Montmorency counties and into Otsego County, where police finally stopped him with the help of spike strips.

Gray’s race through the region included traveling at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour along 9th Avenue in Alpena, Black said on Monday.

Gray’s attorney said his client came north to visit a friend, who was a passenger in Gray’s vehicle during the speeding incident.

A police search of the friend’s house turned up illegal narcotics, Black said, expressing doubt about Gray’s contention that the $400 in his possession after the chase was not related to the sale of drugs.

“There’s only one reason you’re running away at that speed,” Black told Gray, imposing the six-month sentence, with credit for more than 100 days served.

Nobody was injured during or as a result of the chase, police said.