Fayette County Man Who Fled During Trial Sentenced To Life In Prison

FAYETTE, AL — A Fayette County man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted him on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2022 motorcycle pursuit and drug trafficking investigation.

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Matthew Bruce Page, 36, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison following his April 22 convictions for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, failure to affix a tax stamp, certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol and attempting to elude law enforcement officers, according to a press release the 24th Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office.

In addition to the life sentence, Page received two concurrent 20-year prison sentences.

During the trial, prosecutors said Page absconded from court on April 21 before being captured in Georgia, where authorities said he attempted to avoid arrest by providing a false name.

"This wasn't a one-time mistake," District Attorney Andy Hamlin said. "This defendant had a long history of criminal behavior, repeatedly ran from law enforcement, and even attempted to avoid the court process itself."

Hamlin said the case began in December 2022 when deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop Page while he was operating a motorcycle in Fayette County.

Authorities at the time said Page fled at high speeds, leading deputies on a pursuit through the county. During the chase, officers allegedly observed him throwing multiple items from the motorcycle before he crashed.

Investigators later recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm from areas along the pursuit route where deputies reported seeing Page discard objects.

At Thursday's sentencing hearing, prosecutors detailed Page's criminal history, which included felony convictions for two counts of receiving stolen property in the second degree and shooting into an occupied building.

Court records presented by the state also showed convictions for domestic violence and six prior convictions for attempting to elude law enforcement officers.

Assistant district attorneys Kaleb Beams and Rachel Eaves prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Alabama.

"I'm grateful for the work our prosecutors and law enforcement officers put into this case," Hamlin said. "Their preparation and testimony helped make this result possible."

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