FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 21, 2019 SPARTANBURG WOMAN RECEIVES 22-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR VIOLENT CAR CHASE A Spartanburg woman received a 22-year prison sentence today for her role in a high-speed car chase where an AK-47 style rifle was used to shoot at the pursuing sheriff’s deputies. Jodi Lea Stapleton, 36, pleaded guilty to 3 counts of attempted murder and an unrelated breach of trust, drug and unlawful neglect of a child charges. On July 18, 2018, deputies attempted a traffic stop on the car Stapleton was driving on Highway 29 near Old Converse Road. Deputies attempted the traffic stop with hopes of arresting Stapleton and her passenger, both of whom were wanted. Stapleton failed to stop for the blue lights and led deputies on a pursuit on Old Converse Road. The passenger opened the sunroof of Stapleton’s car and used AK-47 style rifle to fire multiple rounds at the pursuing deputies. The passenger jumped out of the fleeing vehicle after Stapleton turned on Mount Pleasant Road. Stapleton abandoned the car a short distance later and ran to a nearby residence where she was found hiding under covers in a bedroom. The passenger was also taken into custody nearby. Multiple 7.62 rounds were recovered on the route of the pursuit. The rifle was also recovered, along with the empty magazine. Multiple sheriff’s office vehicles as well as businesses and homes of innocent citizens were damaged during the pursuit. Stapleton’s prior criminal dated back to 2007 with multiple convictions for drug and traffic offenses. Attempted murder and drug charges are still pending against Stapleton’s passenger, Jurrell Thompson, 34, of Spartanburg. Thompson is detained in the Spartanburg County jail with no bond. For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892 or [email protected]. ###.