A South Bend man was convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony in U. S. District Court.

According to evidence presented at his trial, Brandon Edelman, 32, led South Bend Police officers on a high speed chase for nearly 15 minutes at speeds up to 100 miles per hour, according to a news release by U.S. District Court.

While Edelman drove the car, his passenger threw a firearm out of the window. After he was apprehended, he told police that he told the passenger to throw the gun out and that he possessed the gun for protection during his drug dealing, the news release stated.

Police found methamphetamine on Mr. Edelman. After he was apprehended, police retraced the route and found the gun Edelman admitted was thrown from the car. Edelman had been convicted of at least one prior felony offense.

Edelman’s sentencing was set for May 15, 2019.