Three from Salisbury, including gang member, arrested in Mooresville

Published 12:17 pm Friday, September 6, 2019

Three people from Salisbury face felony and misdemeanor drug and weapons charges after their arrests Wednesday in Mooresville.

One of them is a Blood gang member and registered sex offender.

Kenneth Lee Lowery, 40, of the 500 block of Gold Hill Drive; Mary Katherine Marie Adkins, 24, of the same address; and Antowane Dennis Koontz, 40, of the 100 block of Knox Street, fled from an Iredell County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop.

Sgt. E. Line, of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office’s Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team, tried to stop a gold Honda Accord for a traffic violation near Oswalt Amity and Triplett roads, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

When Line turned on his blue lights and siren, the driver continued toward N.C. 801. While Line was following the vehicle, it pulled into oncoming traffic, nearly striking a concrete truck head on.

Line canceled his pursuit but stayed in the area to try to find the vehicle. Additional deputies helped look for the Honda, which was soon found abandoned at the dead end of Juliette Road.

Deputy M. Hicks used his canine partner, Gery, to help find the suspects. Hicks and Gery searched a wooded area along a creek bed for about one mile, where they found the three suspects hiding in a concrete culvert.

Deputies found a firearm in the culvert that had been discarded by the suspects.

The suspects were placed under arrest and identified. They were taken to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Lowery was charged with felony fleeing to elude; felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; misdemeanor possession of marijuana; and misdemeanor possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Lowery was also served with outstanding warrants from Rowan County. Lowery was issued a $116,500 secured bond.

Adkins was charged with felony possession of heroin; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer. Adkins was also served with several outstanding orders for arrest from Rowan County. She was issued a $40,000 secured bond.

Koontz , who authorities say is a Blood gang member and sex offender, was charged with misdemeanor resisting or obstructing an officer. He was issued a $1,500 secured bond.

Lowery’s criminal history includes convictions for breaking and entering; second-degree trespassing; reckless driving; driving while license revoked; resisting an officer; possession of marijuana; driving while impaired; assault on a government officer; and communicating threats.

Adkins’ criminal history includes convictions for consuming alcohol under 21; larceny; possession of a controlled substance; and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Koontz’s criminal history includes convictions for assault on a female; resisting an officer; second-degree trespassing; injury to personal property; attempted statutory rape; indecent liberties with a minor; second-degree rape; possession of a controlled substance; possession with intent to sell cocaine; and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.