Man Charged With Going Armed To Terror Of People Near Benson

BENSON – A Johnston County man was arrested Friday afternoon after deputies responded to a report of a man walking in the roadway carrying an AR-15-style rifle.

The incident was reported around 5:19 p.m. Oct. 16 on Shade Tree Road outside Benson.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived and encountered Bryan Santos Ortega of Shade Tree Road carrying the rifle.

Authorities allege Ortega refused commands from deputies and became combative. Deputies said he appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.

During the encounter, Ortega allegedly threatened to knock out a deputy and poked an officer in the chest. Investigators said he also refused to surrender the rifle.

As deputies attempted to detain Ortega, authorities allege he burned one of the officers with a lit cigarette.

Deputies eventually used a Taser to subdue Ortega and take him into custody.

The Sheriff’s Office said the AR-15-style rifle was loaded and equipped with a 30-round-capacity magazine. Deputies also found three additional loaded magazines in Ortega’s possession.

Investigators said they were unable to determine why Ortega was walking in the roadway with the firearm or what he intended to do with it.

Ortega was charged with going armed to the terror of the people, assault causing physical injury on a law enforcement officer, assault on a government official, communicating threats and resisting a public officer.

He was held under a $50,000 secured bond.