Four people were recently arrested in two separate cases involving drugs and firearms on Sunday, March 23, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say Union County deputies conducted a traffic stop on Murphy Highway after observing a vehicle with defective taillights. Upon approaching the driver, identified as Justin Ward Clark, authorities allegedly detected the odor of marijuana, leading to a search of the vehicle.
During the search, deputies allegedly discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, two loaded firearms and drug-related paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Clark was taken into custody and now faces multiple felony charges, according to authorities, including possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He also faces several misdemeanor charges.
Pursuit leads to arrest
In a separate case on March 26, narcotics investigators attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Dustin Dwayne Townson in western Union County as part of an ongoing drug investigation. When Townson failed to stop, authorities say a pursuit then ensued.
The chase ended when Townson abandoned the vehicle and allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Deputies quickly apprehended him, allegedly discovering methamphetamine in his possession.
Further investigation of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a loaded firearm and over $1,500 in counterfeit currency. Townson now faces felony charges for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, along with several misdemeanor offenses, including fleeing law enforcement, obstruction and reckless driving.
Two passengers in Townson’s vehicle, Tosha Savannah Eller and Robert Charles Weichbrodt, were also taken into custody. Eller faces felony charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, while Weichbrodt is charged with similar offenses.
