HOT SPRINGS -- A man arrested last month in a drive-by shooting was arrested again Thursday night in another drive-by shooting.
Evan Drake Johnson, 21, of Hot Springs was charged in the most recent case with two counts of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder, punishable by up to 30 years in prison; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, punishable by up to life in prison; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and theft by receiving of a firearm, each punishable by up to six years; and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.
Prosecutors say Johnson was in the middle of a drug deal when Hot Springs police arrested him on the other felony warrants.
According to the probable cause affidavit on the attempted murder and gun charges, Hot Springs police responded shortly before noon Monday to the 300 block of Park Avenue, where a man and a woman told them they had been shot at moments earlier.
Both stated they were walking north on Park Avenue when a newer-model black Dodge Charger pulled up next to them. The driver, whom the man recognized as Johnson, asked the man what his name was, the affidavit said.
The man said Johnson turned to a white male passenger and asked, "Is that him?" The passenger answered, "Yes," according to the affidavit. The man said Johnson then pointed a handgun at him and the woman and fired about four shots as they ran away.
Two spent 9mm cartridge cases were recovered.
Shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, Hot Springs Officer Thomas Plummer spotted a black 2019 Dodge Charger with expired tags in the area of Main Street and Albert Pike Road. The driver, identified as Johnson, and the passenger, identified as Payton Daniel Wicklund, 18, were arrested.
Officers who searched Johnson reported finding $1,295 in cash in his pants pocket and a credit card that had been reported stolen by a Hot Springs-area man. Johnson also had other items belonging to the same victim, police said.
The affidavit also noted that in addition to narcotics, a magazine to a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun was found in the car, fully loaded with 16 cartridges, and a spent 9mm cartridge case was found on the floorboard behind the driver's seat. The casing matched the two spent casings found on Park Avenue, police said.
Officers noted the glove compartment was locked, but the vehicle, money and drugs were seized by agents with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle Tuesday, and a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and a Taurus 9mm handgun were found in the glove compartment, according to the affidavit.
It was determined the Smith and Wesson handgun had been reported stolen Feb. 14 by a Hot Springs-area man.
Johnson was later released on a $19,500 bond while Wicklund has remained in custody. Warrants on the new charges of attempted murder, simultaneous possession and theft of a firearm were issued for Johnson.
According to the affidavit on the new drug charges against Johnson, officers responded shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday to the Valero at 1201 Central Ave. after learning Johnson was possibly inside the store.
Officer Cash Murray located Johnson talking with Jesus Alberto Cruz Martinez, 25, of Hot Springs, and detained both of them. Murray noted the presence of a set of digital scales and a small bag containing 0.7 gram of what later tested positive for meth.
Johnson had numerous baggies in his jacket pocket, the affidavit said. The scales, meth and about 0.5 gram of loose marijuana were recovered from the scene.
Martinez was charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Metro on 04/19/2020