Staff Writer

A Union man faces drug charges after a traffic stop by deputies.

Kenneth Michael Austin Jr., 18, of 250 Old English Road, was charged Saturday by the Union County Sheriff's Office with driving under the influence, an ABC violation, possession of liquor by a person under 21 and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

A report said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson and Deputy Ashley Jackson were on patrol on Peach Orchard Road when they came up behind a silver Pontiac with a paper tag. The vehicle traveled across the center line several times before the deputies initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Old English Road.

Johnson asked Austin, the driver, to get out of his vehicle and step to the rear. He noted that Austin was unsteady and leaned on the car for balance as he walked. Austin smelled like alcohol.

Austin was read his Miranda Rights and asked to complete a field sobriety test. He failed to say his ABC's correctly, failed to stop on the right number when asked to count backwards and was unable to touch the tip of his nose with his fingertips. He admitted he had consumed beer around 30 minutes earlier and had taken a Lortab and a Klonopin earlier in the day. He was arrested.

A pill bottle which had no label was found in Austin's pocket. It contained three different types of pills. An opened bottle of Seagrams Extra Dry Gin was found under the driver's seat.

Austin was taken to the Union County Jail and offered a DataMaster test, which he refused. His driver's license was confiscated and he was issued a notice of suspension for refusal.

Theft reported

On 1239 Linersville Road, Buffalo, a victim told Deputy Tim Gaston Saturday that someone had taken $250 and a 1 1/2 carat diamond ring from his home. The victim said the ring is worth $4,000.

There were no signs of forced entry. The victim said he left his door unlocked so someone could let his dog out.

Stabbing

Also on Saturday, deputies were called to a stabbing on 158 Lofton Drive.

A report said a woman called 911 and said that the victim, a 36-year-old man, had been stabbed. When deputies arrived, they found that the man had a deep cut on his left shoulder and several other cuts on his stomach. The woman told Jackson that a 16-year-old boy had come to the house and he and the victim got into an argument over money. The boy then stabbed the victim and left before deputies arrived.

The victim declined being transported to the hospital by Union County EMS and told deputies he did not want to press charges against the boy.