31-year-old charged

with soliciting gang activity

An ongoing investigation involving an assault has led to the arrest of a Boone resident.

Christopher Michael Hibbetts, 31, of 302 West King St. was charged with two counts of soliciting gang activity after he allegedly assaulted two Boone residents.

Hibbetts has recently been released from the Department of Corrections, and the Boone Police Department received information that Hibbetts may be attempting to initiate people into a gang.

A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Hibbetts.

“At this time there is no indication that a gang has been started in our area,” according to a statement from the Boone Police Department.

Hibbetts was taken before a Watauga County magistrate, where he was given a $10,000 secured bond and an April 1 court date.