January manhunt leads to 15-year federal sentence
A Baird man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and sparked a large-scale manhunt through Albany in January has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, while other charges related to the incident remain pending in Shackelford County.
Micheal Z. Haley, 38, of Baird, received the sentence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge stems from a January 30 pursuit that began east of Abilene and ended with Haley’s arrest north of Albany following several hours of searching by law enforcement.
The chase began on Interstate 20 in Callahan County when authorities attempted to stop a 2001 Ford Ranger. Haley refused to pull over and fled eastbound, exiting in Baird before heading north on Highway 283 toward Albany. Officers from multiple counties joined the pursuit as speeds reached nearly 100 miles per hour.
Between Baird and Albany, spike strips were deployed in an attempt to stop the vehicle. One tire was punctured, but Haley continued toward town. As the pursuit neared Albany, he began firing a gun at pursuing officers, striking one patrol unit near Albany Lake Road.
When officers attempted to deploy additional spikes, Haley reportedly steered toward an officer standing by his patrol car, narrowly missing him before continuing north into Albany.
Upon entering town, he drove at high speed up Baird Street, crossed Highway 180 without stopping, and crashed at the dead end near the edge of town. Leaving the truck behind, Haley fled on foot, heading northwest along a creek bed while continuing to fire at officers.
The chase quickly escalated into a manhunt that involved agencies from Shackelford, Callahan, Taylor, and Stephens counties, along with assistance from the Texas Rangers, Department of Public Safety, Parks and Wildlife officers, and other regional law enforcement.
Helicopters, drones, K-9 units, and SWAT teams were brought in to search the area south of town and along One Mile Hill. The Albany Volunteer Fire Department assisted with traffic control, and both Nancy Smith Elementary and Albany Junior/Senior High School were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
A local helicopter searched the area for nearly an hour before a DPS aircraft from Lubbock, equipped with thermal-imaging technology, joined the effort. Around 2:20 p.m., K-9 units picked up Haley’s trail, leading to his capture near the Albany water tower at approximately 2:35 p.m. He was taken into custody without further incident.
His 12-gauge shotgun—used during the chase—was later recovered nearby after an extended search. No officers or civilians were injured during the pursuit.
Haley’s federal case is now complete, but state charges remain pending in Shackelford County, including four counts of attempted capital murder of a peace officer.
