An Atlanta man is back in Jones County on charges received during a high-speed pursuit that took place the first of February.
Antonio Michael Johnson, 41, was booked into the Jones County jail Feb. 18 and is facing charges of possession of a Schedule I drug, possession and use of drug-related objects, an expired registration, a suspended or revoked license, marijuana possession less than an ounce, forgery in the first degree, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer for felony offense, reckless driving, speeding in excess of maximum limits, failure to maintain lance, and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
It was the expired registration of his Super Duty pickup truck that alerted law enforcement that Johnson was in Gray.
A report of the incidents leading to Johnson’s arrest by Gray Police Officer Josh Josey states he was on duty Sunday, Feb. 1, when he received notification of the truck with an expired registration on Gray Highway.
The officer said the truck was not located from the first hit, but another was received that the vehicle was near Cedarline Drive. Josey said he ran the tag of the truck to verify the expired registration and found out the owner also had a suspended driver’s license.
Josey located the pickup truck as it crossed onto Jackson Avenue and observed as it sped down Old Clinton Road toward Randolph Street.
At that point it appeared to the officer that the driver was intentionally trying to avoid contact. He then initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Pulaski and Randolph streets. Josey said the driver made an abrupt turn on Madison Street, and he alerted dispatch of the pursuit.
The truck continued up Madison at above normal speeds, turned left to Greene Settlement Road, ignored the stop sign and turned onto Highway 18 toward Monroe County.
The speeds at that time were 85-90 mph. The officer was informed no Jones County Sheriff’s Office units were available to assist, and he notified Monroe County. Spike strips were set up, and Monroe County officers took the lead at the county line.
Josey said the spike strips did puncture the right rear tires of the truck, but it still turned left onto I-75 north. He said officers with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office performed a successful PIT maneuver, causing the driver of the truck to lose control. After hitting the center concrete median wall, the driver, identified as Johnson, surrendered and was taken into custody by Monroe County.
Josey said he assisted in the inventory of the truck. A baggie of marijuana, a THC vape and counterfeit currency were found inside. When he arrived back in Gray, the officer secured warrants for Johnson’s arrest.
A supplemental report by Gray Police Department Capt. Eric Maynard stated he picked up Johnson from Monroe County Feb. 18. Johnson was transported and booked into the Jones County Law Enforcement Center without incident.
Maynard said Johnson was served the warrants at the jail, and he was turned over to jail staff.
