Motorcycle Crash Leads to Arrest

Tuesday night Newport police pursued a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed on Morrell Springs Road. That motorcycle nearly struck another vehicle head on. While in pursuit, that motorcycle failed to navigate the curve at Slide In Way just across the interstate and crashed…injuring the driver who was identified as 29 year old Dustin Moneer who was transported to Newport Medical Center. Moneer, upon searching the man’s jacket pocket officers found a loaded 32 caliber pistol. Also on his person were several drugs nearly 16 grams of Marijuana, 13.3g Heroin, and over 3 and a half grams of Meth, and a 30mg Oxycodone pill. Inside the backpack he was wearing was a set of scales, several clear baggies, spoons used to measure drugs, and a meth pipe. Moneer, who was driving on a revoked license was also found to be charged with several felonies between Tennessee and Louisiana. For instance he was charged with felony possession of a firearm in September 2019 in Sevier County. Moneer now faces a longer list of charges that include schedule I, II & VI possession, evading arrest and possession of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.