A warrant has been issued with a felony charge for a Marshall man who is still at-large, who allegedly had a rifle in the trunk of a vehicle, along with an imitation controlled substance and ran from law enforcement.
According to a probable-cause statement, a law-enforcement officer allegedly observed Matthew Joseph Coke take a .223 rifle out of the trunk of a vehicle parked near the Marshall Habilitation Lake on Sunday, March 25. The officer reportedly talked to Coke, but while trying to detain him, Coke reportedly broke away from the officer. Despite multiple agencies assisting in the search, Coke was not located.
On a search of the vehicle, authorities also allegedly found a Ziplock-style baggie containing a substance resembling methamphetamine, but tests were negative; a digital scale with methamphetamine on it; and a pipe.
Online court documents say Coke has been charged with a Class D Felony for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and misdemeanors for possession of an imitation controlled substance, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond has been set at $15,000 cash only with several conditions, one of which is for him to wear a GPS monitoring device upon release.
According to a release from the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, Coke is described as a 35-year-old white male, who is about 5-foot-9 and about 150 pounds, with hazel-colored eyes and brown hair.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Coke, you are urged to call the sheriff’s department at (660) 886-5512.