SALISBURY — A Salisbury man, who previously attempted to swallow drugs in an effort to hide them, was convicted this week of drug possession, being a habitual felon and other offenses. He was sentenced to just over three to four years in prison.

Amarillo Deshun Bryant, 36, was convicted in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony fleeing to elude arrest, felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to half an ounce, misdemeanor resisting a public officer, and the status of being a habitual felon. Judge Jeffrey Carpenter sentenced Bryant to a minimum of 96 months to a maximum of 128 months in prison.

On Sept. 21, 2016, officers with the Salisbury Police Department observed Bryant driving a white vehicle with a Georgia registration plate. Officers made a vehicle stop since Bryant had an outstanding order for his arrest. During a search, officers located a white powder substance that was confirmed by the NC State Crime Lab to be cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance. Bryant attempted to swallow the substance but was detained. Officers located approximately $271, a digital scale, and marijuana.

On May 24, 2018, officers with the Salisbury Police Department attempted to stop a 2010 GMC Sierra because the license plate was revoked. The driver, later identified as Bryant, failed to stop at a stop sign several times and accelerated his speed and reached upwards of 85 mph in a 45 mph zone. The vehicle ran off the road into a ditch.

Bryant was previously convicted of felony common law robbery, felony possession of cocaine, and felony attempt to obtain property by false pretenses, among other convictions.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook stated that she appreciated the joint effort on behalf of Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler and the Salisbury Police Department in removing another repeat offender from our community.