SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was convicted on drug and weapons charges this week by a Rowan County jury.

Tony Johnell Mills was convicted in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court and was sentenced to just under seven to eight and a half years in prison.

Mills was charged with felony possession of a firearm by convicted felon and felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

After the verdict, Mills admitted his status as a habitual felon. Judge Mark Klass sentenced him to a minimum of 76 months to a maximum of 104 months in prison.

Officials said that on March 17, 2015, probation officers conducted a warrantless search at Mills’ residence on Wilson Road. When the probation team arrived, officers noticed that Mills had been drinking. The search team found cocaine and drug paraphernalia in a dresser drawer, along with a loaded 9 mm handgun underneath Mills’ mattress in his bedroom.

Mills was convicted of felony possession of cocaine, felony sales and delivery of cocaine, and felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, among other convictions.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the joint effort of Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suneson, the Salisbury Police Department, and the probation department in holding Mills accountable for his continued criminal conduct.

Cook said her office identified Mills as a repeat offender at an early stage and his sentence was enhanced accordingly.