Man with extensive criminal history charged with drug trafficking

Published 5:47 pm Friday, October 19, 2018

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man with an extensive criminal history and a history of running from police was charged this week with trafficking in cocaine.

Amarillo Deshaun Bryant, 36, of Lafayette Street, was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. He had outstanding warrants on charges of possession of heroin; maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for trafficking in controlled substances; possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin; and failure to appear in court.

Bryant remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $1,075,000 secured bond.

A Salisbury Police Department officer stopped a Chevrolet that Bryant was driving just after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Police reports say he pulled over in Green and Reeves streets, then got out of his car and ran. Officers pursued Bryant on foot, and he was apprehended a short time later.

Officers searched the car and found cocaine in an amount they say was large enough to warrant drug-trafficking charges.

In May, Bryant was charged after police tried to stop his vehicle because the license was revoked. Authorities said he did not stop but crashed his vehicle at Old Wilkesboro and South McCoy roads.

Bryant was convicted in 2009 of being a habitual felon; attempted obtaining property by false pretenses; driving while license revoked; possession of stolen goods; and marijuana possession. He has previous convictions for larceny; receiving or passing unauthorized substitutes for money; motor vehicle theft; felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; attempted speeding to elude arrest; felony possession of stolen goods; felony common law robbery; assault on a public official; possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit substance; worthless checks; and counterfeiting.