On Tuesday afternoon, 30-year-old Johnny Johnson of Matthews arrived at the Union County Courthouse for a scheduled court appearance related to a prior offense. When he entered the courthouse, Johnson was carrying a backpack and asked Court Security deputies if they could hold onto it while he handled his business inside.

Deputies explained that courthouse policy doesn’t allow them to store personal belongings and advised Johnson to return it to his vehicle or home before coming back through security. In a stroke of genius, Johnson stepped outside and tossed the backpack into nearby shrubbery before re-entering the building.

A short time later, Johnson was arrested on outstanding warrants for violating a domestic violence protection order. The mysterious discarded backpack outside the courthouse naturally drew some attention from deputies, who conducted a follow-up investigation. Inside the bag, they found approximately 26 grams of methamphetamine, assorted drug paraphernalia, a machete, and a hatchet. Keep in mind that this is the same bag Johnson had asked our deputies to hold a short time before his arrest.

In addition to his existing charges, Johnson now faces Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Weapon on Court/State Property, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. He remains in custody under a $25,000 secured bond.

In the end, deputies did take care of Johnson’s backpack request, just not quite in the way he intended. It’s now stored securely in evidence, where it will remain until this case is resolved. The hardworking men and women of the UCSO always seek to serve and protect, but please don’t ask us to hold onto your drugs.