ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Four people were arrested on gun and drug charges Tuesday afternoon in east Asheville.
In the first case, Asheville Police Department detectives contacted Brandon Michael Marler, 34, about 3:19 p.m. near the 500 block of Tunnel Road. Marler was found to be in illegal possession of a firearm and was taken into custody without incident, a news release from the department said.
Later in the shift, detectives attempted to contact Vance William Keeter Jr., 34, near the 1400 block of Tunnel Road. He fled on foot, tossing a shoulder bag as he went, according to the news release. Officers quickly took him into custody and retrieved the discarded bag. During the arrest, he was found to have two guns, methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
Detectives also made contact with two others about the same time, arresting Vance William Keeler Sr., 57, and Diane Bradley Holt, 43, on drug trafficking and weapon charges, the news release said.
Arrested:
Vance William Keeter Jr.
- Possession of firearm by felon
- Trafficking in cocaine by possession
- Trafficking in methamphetamine by possession
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to sell or deliver Schedule II
- Maintain a dwelling for controlled substances
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Keeter was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond (ineligible for release) because of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Vance William Keeter Sr.
- Conspire to traffic in cocaine
- Conspire to traffic in methamphetamine
- Maintain a dwelling for controlled substances
Keeter was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond (ineligible for release) because of the Pretrial Integrity Act.
Brandon Michael Marler
- Possession of firearm by felon
- Carrying a concealed gun
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Marler was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $15,000 secured bond.
Diane Bradley Holt
- Felony possession of Schedule II
Holt was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $5,000 secured bond and has since been released.
Seized:
- FEG GKK45C pistol
- Taurus G3 pistol
- Taurus PT111G2 pistol
- Derringer pistol
- 98.06g of meth
- 29.82g of cocaine
- 2DU of oxycodone pills
Anyone with information about illegal gun or drug activity is asked to contact APD at 828-252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.