Community activist John Barnette, who has affiliations with Rev. Al Sharpton’s civil rights group, nearly crashed into a police car in Gaston County early this morning, according to a news report. After his arrest, he refused to take a breathalyzer but a blood test determined he was drunk. He was also charged with driving without a valid license.
Barnette received local notoriety a few years ago because of his community organization True Healing Under God, also known as T.H.U.G. In years past, he has been active in protesting civil rights violations, but these days he seems to be fighting to stay out of jail.
According to WBTV, Barnette was arrested in 2009, 2008 and 2007 for charges ranging from open container of alcohol in the car to worthless check charges and several charges of failure to appear in court. In this latest incident, he was stopped along West Franklin Boulevard and Linwood Road. In a warrant affidavit, Officer E.C. Seagle who says Barnette almost hit him, says Barnette “went left of center almost striking my patrol vehicle […] Subject had slurred speech and red, glassy eyes,” WBTV reported.
Barnette was charged with DWI, driving with a revoked license, and driving left of center. He is being held under a $1,000 bond.
