(KAIR)--The first case in Leavenworth County using a new state law that increases the penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

According to a release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thomson, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly last year signed the increase into law, making the crime a level seven person felony.

Thompson worked to pass the legislation, and last week put it to work in a Leavenworth County District Court courtroom.

That’s when 51-year-old Raheem Armstead was convicted of both aggravated battery and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

The crimes he was convicted of happened in July, 2021 when a Leavenworth Police Officer spotted a suspicious vehicle driven by Armstead coming from what the release calls “a known drug house.”

Armstead, the release says, “engaged in reckless driving and law enforcement tried to pull the vehicle over.” Instead, Armstead fled, causing multiple vehicle accidents before trying to flee on foot after crashing the vehicle he was driving.

No one involved in the Armstead-caused crashes received more than minor injuries.

Thompson, in the release, says the harm that occurred in the case is the reason he fought for increased punishment for fleeing from officers.