Conover Man Gets 7-10 Years In Prison For Trafficking Heroin And Flee To Elude

45-year-old John David Swink of Conover was given an active prison term of seven-to-10 years after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking heroin and fleeing to elude arrest during Catawba County Superior Court yesterday (June 12). The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed the terms of the plea arrangement after Swink entered a guilty plea. Swink is also required to pay a mandatory fine of $100,000.

In June of 2020, Catawba County Deputy Daniel Ikerd saw the defendant behaving nervously at a gas station. The Deputy learned that the license plate on the vehicle Swink was driving had been revoked. Swink was also wanted on an outstanding order for arrest.

Deputy Ikerd saw the defendant weaving in and out of traffic as he left the gas station. The Deputy attempted a traffic stop, but when Swink saw the Deputy’s lights, he accelerated to speeds of 75 m.p.h. in a 45-m.p.h. zone and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic as he attempted to flee. Swink eventually drove the vehicle to a residence where he exited and ran.

Deputies apprehended Swink as he attempted to hide in a wooded area behind the residence. As the defendant was taken into custody, Officers found a nylon pouch on his person that contained a trafficking amount of heroin.

Story; Ralph Mangum-WHKY