| January 2,
2001 |
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| Drug Arrest Made in Avery
County |
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| The Burke County Narcotic Task Force ended the
year 2000 with a bang, arresting a Newland man on December 31st for trafficking
and possession of cocaine and felony possession of stolen property. |
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| John Mark Johnson, 42, of 1763 Spanish Oak Road
in Newland was arrested at an undisclosed location by officers after allegedly
attempting to flee the scene, which resulted in him wrecking his
vehicle. |
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| According to a press release, the Task Force,
along with members of the Newland Police Department; Avery County Sheriff's
Office; N.C. Highway Patrol; and Banner Elk/Sugar Mountain Police
Department were involved in the arrest. Newland Police Department officers
were attempting to serve an outstanding felony warrant on Johnson when he fled
in his vehicle. After wrecking, he attempted to run from the scene but was
caught by officers. |
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| The officers located over one pound (517 grams)
of cocaine and a large sum of currency in Johnson's possession. He was jailed
under a $100,000 bond and has a first appearance on January 2, 2001. |
| |
| Johnson has a long history of assault on law
enforcement officers as well as several larceny convictions, according to the
press release. |
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| ************************************************************** |
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archives
file |
