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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 27, 1994                   TAG: 9401270084
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Michael Stowe Staff Writer
DATELINE: ROANOKE                                 LENGTH: Short

U.S. ASKS THAT BAIL NOT BE GRANTED TO GILES DRUG SUSPECT

The U.S. Attorney's office is asking that a Giles County drug suspect - on the lam for more than two years before being arrested by federal agents in Oregon last month - not be granted bail.

Patrick Wilson Johnson, of Narrows, pled not guilty to a four-count indictment of possession of marijuana and cocaine at his arraignment in Roanoke's federal court Wednesday.

Police seized more than $104,000, one of the largest amounts ever taken by state police in a drug case, following Johnson's arrest in Montgomery County in May 1991.

Officers found nearly $65,000 in cash and 10 pounds of marijuana and a couple of grams of cocaine in his car. They later went to a storage space rented by Johnson and found $39,600 in cash, a pound of marijuana and an ounce of mushrooms.

State and local charges against Johnson were dropped so he could be prosecuted by federal authorities, but the Giles County man fled before being indicted.

Federal agents tracked down and recaptured the fugitive, who was living under a false name, in Oregon, said Karen Peters, assistant U.S. Attorney.

Peters asked Judge James Turk not to grant Johnson bond, for fear that he may run again.

A bond hearing is scheduled for this afternoon and Johnson's trial is slated for March 29. Johnson, who turned 48 Wednesday, faces up to life

in prison if convicted. In addition to the cash recovered after Johnson's

arrest, federal authorities have also seized his Giles County home.

by CNB