Man Arrested in Wilkes County After Trying To Use Infant To Hide Handgun

A man has been arrested in Wilkes County after he dropped a handgun that he was attempting to conceal by using an infant as a shield.

Following a traffic stop Wednesday morning on Highway 268 East, Kendarious Lindsey, age 23 of Mooresville, was taken custody by North Wilkesboro Police.

Police say Lindsey got out of a vehicle carrying an infant child with a loaded and chambered handgun. The pistol fell to the pavement but did not discharge. Investigators say the suspect was trying to hide the firearm behind the infant.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 7.5 ounces of marijuana.

Lindsey was charged with felony possession of firearm by a convicted felon; felony possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun and misdemeanor child abuse.

The mother of the infant and four other young children were in the car. The infant being carried was placed in the custody of the mother.

Lindsey is being held in the Wilkes County Jail under a secured bond of $25,000. His criminal record includes convictions in Iredell and Mecklenburg counties for discharging a firearm into occupied property, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of stolen goods, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and common law robbery. 

Photo: North Wilkesboro Police Department