Deputies charge felon with having a gun
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 16, 2011
CHINA GROVE — The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office says it arrested a Salisbury felon Monday after finding a gun and ammunition in a hidden compartment in his vehicle.
Deputies stopped Deantonio Neshad Mattison, 23, of 512 Plymouth Ave. in Salisbury, at a checkpoint at the 100 block of Highway 29 in China Grove.
Sheriff’s deputies said Mattison told them his license was revoked, so they asked him to pull over.
They then detected a strong odor of marijuana in the vehicle, and Mattison appeared to be acting nervous, according to the report.
He consented to a search of his vehicle, where deputies reportedly saw a compartment in the front dashboard. It had been covered by a plastic piece with a Chevrolet symbol on it, which was attached with Velcro between two air vents.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies found a Raven Arms .25 caliber pistol and ammunition for the gun in the compartment. They also reported finding a plastic bag containing what appeared to be marijuana.
Mattison was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon — itself a felony — along with carrying a concealed weapon, driving while license revoked and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
His vehicle was towed, and Mattison was taken to the Rowan County Detention Center, where he was given a $5,000 bond.