Quinton Earl Barker Jr.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
A Sylva man faces one felony and four misdemeanor charges after violent behavior at a Bryson City gas station.
On Monday, Jan. 27, Quinton Earl Barker Jr., 30, of 19 Onyx Lane, Sylva, was arrested by Bryson City Police Department on the following charges: felony possession of a firearm by a felon, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct, going armed to the terror of the public, intoxicated and disruptive and assault on a female.
Barker had in his possession a 9mm semi-automatic pistol despite having been previously convicted of a felony charge of possession of schedule II controlled substance and serving time in Haywood County, according to the magistrate’s order for arrest on file at the Swain County Clerk of Court’s Office.
Barker allegedly assaulted a female while he was driving a Ford Fusion by forcing her from the vehicle while it was moving.
Barker’s charges also stem from causing a public disturbance at Shell gas station parking lot on Veterans Boulevard, “by making gestures, making displays, intended and plainly likely to provoke immediate violent retaliation and thereby cause a breach of the peace,” according to the warrant.
While shouting profanities, Barker was witnessed speeding around the parking lot and then exiting the vehicle and shooting a pistol into the air.
A secured bond was set at $10,000.