Additional Charges Filed After Stolen Handgun Found In Book Bag At East Rowan High School

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A student charged with bringing a stolen handgun to campus on Wednesday is facing additional charges related to the stolen weapon. Investigators say they have also charged three additional students in connection to both crimes.

Donald Maness has been additionally charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, Breaking and Entering to a Motor Vehicle, Larceny of a Firearm, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Authorities have also charged Austin Sechler, Trey Beshears, and issued juvenile charges on a 13-year-old juvenile in connection to the incident.

Sechler is charged with Possession of a Firearm on School Grounds, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Beshears and the 13-year-old juvenile are each charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, Breaking and Entering to a Motor Vehicle, Larceny of a Firearm, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Original Story (November 15, 2018)

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A student has been arrested after deputies say they found a stolen handgun in his backpack at East Rowan High School.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, staff from Nazareth Children’s Home contacted Rowan County deputies with a concern that one of their students may have a firearm at the school.

There were three students at East Rowan that staff determined needed questioning. After investigating, deputies say they found the weapon- a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun- in a book bag that belonged to Donald Maness.

Maness was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm on School Grounds. He was then placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond.

Deputies say the handgun was stolen from a pickup truck that was parked at 1212 Bird Dog Trail in Rockwell, N.C. The theft occurred sometime after midnight on Monday, Nov. 12.

The incident is under investigation.