Two Men Arrested in Asheville, One with Loaded Gun

Asheville -- Patrol officers from the Asheville Police Department detained two males on Thursday after they got into a brawl in downtown Asheville's Pritchard Park during which one of the guys brandished a loaded firearm.

Additionally, he was detained on drug-related accusations.

Around 5:15 on Thursday evening, Asheville Police Department (APD) officers responded to a report of a dispute with weapons at Pritchard Park in the 20 block of College Street. They discovered two men at the scene, Christopher Hugh Mosher and Jacob Kermit Stepp,  both with minor wounds from the fight.
Officers determined throughout their investigation that Stepp pulled a loaded pistol during the two's altercation, according to witnesses. Stepp had an unholstered Taurus 357 Magnum pistol in his waistband when officers searched him consequent to arrest. It was cocked and loaded.
A number of suspected drugs, plastic baggies, latex gloves, a $100 bill, and perhaps fake $100 bills were also discovered by officers on Stepp.
The Buncombe County Detention Facility received both men for booking once they were taken there.

Jacob Kermit Stepp was charged with the following:
· Possession with Intent to Manufacture/ Sell/ Deliver Schedule II within 1,000 Feet of a Park – two counts
· Going Armed to Terror of the Public
· Assault by Pointing a Gun
· Simple Affray
· Possession of Firearm at a City Park
  Stepp has a $45,000 secure bond.
Christopher Hugh Mosher was charged with Simple Affray and released on a written promise.

Photo: Asheville Police Facebook  Jacob Kermit Stepp

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.