Man accused of violating virus restrictions taunts Asheville Police

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man accused of violating the state’s coronavirus restrictions by leasing non-essential rentals turned himself in after taunting police on Facebook.

Shawn Thomas Johnson, 34, surrendered Tuesday after Asheville police issued an arrest warrant for him on the social media site. According to The State, an account apparently belonging to Johnson commented on the arrest warrant to ask if he can “get a reward” for telling police about his own whereabouts.

Asheville police had described Johnson as 286 pounds on the warrant, to which Johnson commented that he’s actually 235 pounds. “I’ve lost a bunch of weight,” he said.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Johnson’s real estate license was revoked in 2019 for keeping money belonging to property owners whose rentals he managed. He was also found guilty of counterfeiting by a federal court in 2010.

Police said the renters in the property leased by Johnson complied after they were requested to leave.