By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Salisbury Police charged a man with felony marijuana possession when he drove through a license checkpoint at the intersection of Locke Street and Wilson Road smelling of the drug.

Joshua Alexander Hovis, 28, of the 1700 block of Second Street, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture a schedule VI drug.

The incident occurred around 7:44 p.m. Thursday after the driver came through the checkpoint and partially rolled his window down. He had on sunglasses and the officer could smell marijuana coming from the car.

The officer recognized the driver and asked him to remove the sunglasses he was wearing. He noted in his report that Hovis had glassy eyes. The officer asked if he’d been smoking marijuana and Hovis said he had earlier in the day. Hovis said he did have some marijuana on him so the officer searched him.

Hovis had 13.1 grams of marijuana that police said was wrapped into individual bags inside his pants pocket. In his other pocket was $680, said Police Capt. Melonie Thompson.

The officer searched the car, but did not find any other substances.

Hovis has been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, attempted felony trafficking schedule I, felony possession with intent to sell schedule II, driving while license revoked, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor assault on a female, misdemeanor communicating threats.

Hovis has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.