Police conduct drug investigation, find convicted felon with stolen firearm

Published 10:45 am Wednesday, January 11, 2017

SALISBURY — Police officials say during a weeklong narcotics investigation, they found a stolen firearm in the vehicle of a convicted felon.

Salisbury Police charged Otha Derik Archie, 34, of the 6700 block of West Friendly Avenue of Greensboro, with felony possession of stolen goods, felony possession of a weapon by a felon and felony altering or removing a gun serial number.

Police, along with members from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office ACE team, arrested Archie during a Tuesday vehicle stop just before 1:30 p.m. in the 6000 block of Avalon Drive. Officials say they were searching for drugs, but found the stolen gun.

He remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $30,000 secured bond.

Archie is on three years probation following a July conviction in Davidson County for possession with intent to sell a schedule VI controlled substance. He’s also been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of a schedule VI substance.