On Oct. 11, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office ACE Team arrested three Salisbury men on felony weapons charges. The arrests came during a routine traffic stop on Garner Bagnal Boulevard at around 10 p.m. Friday night.
Sgt. W.E. Line stopped the vehicle after checking the registration information and seeing an insurance violation. Line spoke with the driver, who was identified as Brad Simpson. There were two other occupants in the car, identified as Richard Hovis and Enice Simpson. While questioning the driver about the violation, Line learned that none of the occupants knew who the owner of the car was. Simpson also told Line that a friend had let them borrow the car, but Simpson could not name that friend.
At that time, Line became suspicious of further criminal activity and called for assistance. Other deputies arrived. While checking information on his in-car computer, Line discovered all three men had previous charges and felony convictions ranging from drugs, assaults and weapons violations.
Sgt. J.V. Dyson walked his dog Maxx around the car. The dog gave a positive indication on the car. Deputies conducted a search of the vehicle and found a 20-gauge pistol grip shotgun hidden under some clothing in the front passenger floorboard. All three men in the car were convicted felons which prohibits them from possessing any firearms.
Brad Terrence Simpson, 33; Richard Bernard Hovis, 31; and Enice Maurice Simpson, 34, all of Salisbury, were arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center. All three men were given an $8,000 secured bond. Hovis was also found to have an outstanding warrant from Mecklenburg County for assault on a female. The warrant was served and Hovis was held under an additional $2,500 secured bond.