ELIZABETHTOWN — A traffic stop by an Elizabethtown police patrolman back in June has resulted in four subsequent arrests and numerous charges, the latest arrest coming on Monday.

According to Elizabethtown Interim Police Chief N. Kip Hester, one of his patrolmen witnessed a local individual who had outstanding warrants for possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed weapon riding in a vehicle.

“The vehicle Covington was riding in was then stopped by Elizabethtown Officers and, during the stop officers observed marijuana inside the vehicle,” Hester said. “The vehicle was then searched and officers located 108 grams of marijuana, 236 grams of MDMA, 4.3 grams of cocaine, 45 dosage units of Xanax, a 9mm handgun, and several items of drug paraphernalia.

” The only person who was arrested the night of the incident was Saquon Covington on the outstanding warrants,” Hester added. “During the traffic stop a large crowd gathered around the officers and, due to safety concerns the evidence was seized and the other three were released.”

Hester said he consulted with the District Attorney’s office on the charges due to the large quantity of narcotics. Elizabethtown Police obtained warrants on all four individuals who were in the car on the night of the traffic stop and all four were arrested at a later date as they were located.

Arrested was Antonio Lamel Murchison on July 3, Trent Martin on July 18, Channing Kelly on Monday and Covington — all of Elizabethtown — and charged with numerous drug and weapons charges.

“When dealing with large amounts of narcotics it’s not unusual for the warrants to be obtained at a later date, especially when the suspects are local,” Hester said. “We also like to communicate with the DA’s office so that everyone is on board with the charges, and it gives us the opportunity to relay information about the suspects such as gang status, and previous involvement in criminal activity.

“This communication also gives the ADA a better understanding of the case so that considerations can be made during bond reduction hearings,” he said.

Bonds set for the four were as follows: Murchison, $30,000 secured bond; Covington, $300,000 secured bond; Martin, $50,500 secured bond; and Kelly, $11,000 secured bond.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com