John David Swink, 45, 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 on Monday, June 12, 2023.
The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed the terms of the plea arrangement after Swink entered the guilty plea.
Swink also will have to pay a mandatory fine of $100,000.
The defendant will serve his period of incarceration in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.
On June 28, 2020, Deputy Daniel Ikerd observed the defendant acting nervous at a gas station and learned that the license plate on the vehicle he was driving had been revoked. Swink also was wanted on an outstanding order for arrest.
Ikerd observed the defendant weaving in and out of traffic when he left the gas station, so he attempted a traffic stop. When the defendant saw the lights, he accelerated to speeds of 75 mph in a 45-mph zone, crossing the center line into oncoming traffic as he attempted to flee. Swink eventually drove the vehicle to a residence, exited and ran.
Deputies were able to apprehend him as he attempted to hide in a wooded area behind the residence. When they took Swink into custody, they found a nylon pouch on him that contained a trafficking amount of heroin inside.
The case was investigated by Daniel Ikerd of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney Hayden Duncan handled prosecution for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Britnee Ulsamer.