
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 28, 1993                   TAG: 9308280326
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GHENT, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

OPEN BEER CAN LEADS TO GUN, DRUG CHARGES

A Virginia man who sped through a toll barrier with a beer in his hand was fined $200 for possession of cocaine and a gun, police said.

John C. Conley Jr., 33, of Roanoke pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of cocaine and possession of a concealed weapon, both misdemeanors.

Raleigh County Magistrate Mary Jennings fined him $100 on each count.

Trooper 1st Class S.B. Lake said he saw the open beer can as Conley approached the toll booth. When he tried to stop the car, Conley ignored him, Lake said.

After pursuing Conley, Lake said, he found a gun under the front seat and a gram of cocaine in the front console.

by CNB