Convicted felon charged for weapon, drug possession

JENNA-LEY HARRISON
Staff Writer

Deputies found a loaded gun and marijuana inside a convicted felon’s vehicle Sunday night during a traffic stop near the Lincoln/Gaston County line, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputy Robert Richard initiated a vehicle stop of just before midnight on U.S. 321 after he couldn’t read the covered up license plate, according to a report.
Richard reported that he immediately smelled marijuana when the driver, Odell Haskell Clinton III, rolled down the window but refused to let the deputy search the vehicle.
As a result, Richard handcuffed the man before completing a search, locating a loaded .45 caliber Ruger pistol and a minimal amount of marijuana inside the vehicle, the report said.
The 52-year-old Hares Way resident was charged with a felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon and a misdemeanor count each of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
He has since been released from the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center on a $15,500 secured bond.
Clinton’s criminal record includes armed robbery and felony assault with intent to kill, according to the Sheriff’s Office.