SALISBURY — A man who was previously charged with multiple counts of felony drug charges and felony flee to elude was convicted last week in criminal court of being a habitual felon.

The man, identified as 43-year-old Rodriquez Dwane Mashore, was convicted in June of three counts of felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance with intent to sell or deliver, felony flee to elude, misdemeanor driving while impaired, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and being a habitual felon.

Mashore was sentenced by Judge Clifton Smith to a minimum of 14 years and a maximum of 18.8 years, according to a release from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

Mashore was arrested on Aug. 30, 2022, after deputies attempted a traffic stop on his vehicle, at which point he attempted to flee, according to the release. Deputies reportedly attempted a PIT maneuver on the vehicle, and while the car was spinning and coming to a stop the occupants allegedly threw narcotics out of the window.

Deputies detained the two occupants while they searched the area and found crack cocaine, powder cocaine and fentanyl, according to the release. They also reportedly found crack and powder cocaine on Mashore.

The habitual felon conviction came as Mashore has previously been convicted of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance within the eight years, all in Rowan County, according to online N.C. Department of Adult Correction records.

The North Carolina statutes state that anyone who has been convicted of three previous felonies can also be charged as a habitual felon if charged with another felony.

The investigation was conducted by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office special investigations unit with assistance by the Salisbury Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Ashley Smith prosecuted the case.