APD Arrest Two Men on Outstanding Warrants and Drug Charges

Asheville -- June 23, 2022: Wednesday afternoon, detectives and officers from the Asheville Police Department apprehended two suspects wanted on domestic violence and gun charges, as well as probation violations and narcotics offenses.

In response to criminal intelligence, the APD made contact with Guffen Renard Hearst, Jr., who was recently identified as the perpetrator of a series of domestic violence events in which a firearm was involved. Hearst had outstanding warrants  from past incidents, including violations of his pretrial release. Wednesday afternoon, he was arrested near the 200 block of Long Shoals Road.
The APD units were able to find probation violator Devonte Lewis Ellington on the 400 block of Deaverview Road later that afternoon. Ellington decided to run on foot into a nearby wooded area as they approached him. APD police pursued and apprehended him in a nearby field, where a bag of suspected crack cocaine was discovered on him.

Both men were transported to the Buncombe County Detention Facility for booking.
Arrested:
Guffen Renard Hearst, Jr. (7/9/1990)
• Warrant: B&E with Intent to Terrorize
• Warrant: Assault by Pointing a Gun
• Warrant: Pre-Trial Release Violation (two counts)
Secured bond of $50,000
Devonte Zylone Marquez Lewis Ellington (2/22/1999)
• Warrant: Felony Probation Violation
• Warrant: Interfere with Electronic Monitoring Device
• Charged: Possession with intent to Sell or Deliver Schedule II
• Charged: Simple Possession of Schedule VI
Secured bond of $25,000
Seized:
9.20 grams of crack cocaine
If you have information about illegal gun or drug activity, you are encouraged to contact APD at (828) 252-1110. Or you send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search "Asheville PD" in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington