The February arrest that followed a highspeed chase with officers resulted in his arrest for drug and traffic charges and his recent indictment.
Antonio Michael Johnson was indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury April 7 on felony charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, forgery in the first degree and misdemeanor charges of driving while license suspended and possession of marijuana less than ounce.
Johnson, 41, was booked into the Jones County jail Feb. 18.
A report of the incidents leading to Johnson’s arrest by Gray Police Officer Josh Josey stated it was the expired registration of Johnson’s Super Duty pickup truck that alerted law enforcement that he was in Gray.
Josey said 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. The pickup was located as it crossed onto Jackson Avenue and observed as it speeded down Old Clinton Road toward Randolph Street.
At that point, it appeared to the officer that the driver was intentionally trying to avoid contact, and he 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 Gray Highway 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 punctured the right rear tires of the truck, but it still turned onto I-75. 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 was 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, where he remains in custody.
