JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 4/25/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Arvil Lee Pittman (832 Spring St., 33 years old) and charged him with auto burglary and theft under $1,000.

The arrest comes as a result of an investigation into a bicycle that was stolen from the bed of a pick-up truck while it was parked at the Food City located at 4307 N. Roan St. The theft occurred on the night of 3/25/18. During the course of the investigation, the defendant Arvil Pittman, was developed as a suspect.  

Pittman was located by Erwin Police Department Officers and transferred to the custody of the Johnson City Police Department; at which time, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center. Pittman is currently being held in lieu of a $7,500 bond. Arraignment was set for 1:30 p.m. on 4/26/18 in Washington County General Sessions Court.    

Sgt. Don Shepard

Criminal Investigation Division

Johnson City Police Department

601 E. Main . St

Johnson City, TN 37601

Office 423-434-6166

Fax- 423-434-6247

dshepard@johnsoncitytn.org

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 4/26/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Joshua Carreon (1406 Colony Park Dr., Apt. 5, 22 years old) and charged him with criminal simulation and theft of property under $1,000.

The arrest comes as a result of an investigation where counterfeit money was passed during a transaction at 2300 S. Greenwood Dr., on 3/31/18.

On 4/26/18, Joshua Carreon was served with an arrest warrant while already in custody at the Washington County Detention Center on unrelated charges. He is being held in lieu of a $150 bond. Arraignment is set for 10:30 a.m. on 4/27/18 in Washington County General Sessions Court.    

Sgt. Don Shepard

Criminal Investigation Division

Johnson City Police Department

601 E. Main . St

Johnson City, TN 37601

Office 423-434-6166

Fax- 423-434-6247

dshepard@johnsoncitytn.org

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On Friday 04/27/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested William Jacob Silvers (22 yrs old, 139 Knollwood Greeneville) and charged him with Theft of Property (Motor Vehicles) over $2,500.  The arrest stems from an investigation into the theft of a Honda dirt bike from a residence on Antioch Rd.  Mr. Silvers was identified as the suspect by way of surveillance video at the residence.  He is being held in the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond.  He is scheduled for Arraignment in General Sessions Court on 04/30/18 at 1:30 pm.             

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On Monday, April 30, 2018, at approximately 4:30 am., officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Rodney Poling, 24 years of age, from Greeneville, TN, on the charge of False Reporting. The arrest was the result of an investigation into an alleged stolen vehicle. Poling had called 911 to report his vehicle as stolen but upon further investigation it was determined he had traded the vehicle. He no longer wanted the vehicle he traded for and wanted police to get his vehicle back. Poling was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held on a $2,000 bond. His arraignment is set for Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 1:30 pm in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 4/27/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Justin Swiney (Johnson City, 31 years old) and charged him with aggravated burglary and theft over $1,000.

The arrest stems from an investigation of a home that was burglarized on 1/9/18. Through the course of the investigation, Justin Swiney was developed as a suspect. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.

Justin Swiney was transported to the Washington County Detention Center and is being held in lieu of a $25,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 pm on 5/1/18 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

Sgt. Don Shepard

Criminal Investigation Division

Johnson City Police Department

601 E. Main . St

Johnson City, TN 37601

Office 423-434-6166

Fax- 423-434-6247

dshepard@johnsoncitytn.org

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CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

JOHNSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

The Johnson City Police Department will be placing additional officers on the streets this Cinco de Mayo weekend on the lookout for impaired drivers.  These high visibility patrols will be conducted in partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office “Booze It and Lose It”campaign.  The Tennessee Highway Safety Office is providing grant overtime funding for Johnson City officers to conduct these DUI enforcement patrols aimed at removing impaired drivers from the road during this holiday weekend.

Getting behind the wheel after even just one too many drinks can lead to disaster.  Although Tennessee’s legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is .08, even a slight alcoholic “buzz” that’s well below legal limits can be unsafe for drivers and lead to an arrest for impaired driving.

The JCPD’s DUI enforcement efforts have resulted in 32 DUI arrests over the last five years of Cinco de Mayo weekends.  The Department also recorded seven impaired-driving crashes, four of which resulted in occupant injuries.  Before celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year, make a choice between drinking OR driving.  If you choose to drink, designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely. If you’re planning on driving, commit to not drinking.

Grant is funded by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

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JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On May 4^th 2018 at 07:45 pm, Officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested, Toni Davis Hicks, 49 years old, 1005 Lincoln Ave and charged her with Aggravated Assault, Simple Possession, and Violation of Order of Protection.

The arrest stems from Officers investigating a vehicle striking a pedestrian at 919 Johnson Ave. Delane Morris alleged that Ms. Hicks struck him with her vehicle. Several witnesses corroborated Mr. Hicks’s statement. David Shipley was on scene during the incident and has an order of protection against Ms. Hicks. During her arrest, Officers discovered Marijuana on her person.

Ms. Hicks was arrested and taken to the Washington County Detention Center where she is being held on a $17,000 bond. She is awaiting arraignment on May 7^th 2018 at 01:30 pm in Washington County General Sessions.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 5/5/18, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Kevin Hendrix (2822 W Walnut. Johnson City, TN 37604) and charged him with 1 count of Burglary of Motor Vehicle and 1 count of Driving on Cancelled License/multiple. At approximately 10:30 a.m., officers responded to the Johnson City Medical Center regarding a male pulling on door handles of vehicles in the parking lot. Officers were advised this was the same person who was asking for money around the city last date and was possibly driving on a suspended license. Upon arrival to the scene, officers conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Hendrix and confirmed his license was suspended. Officers located a blue pipe belonging to the suspect inside the victim’s vehicle. The victim stated that approximately $950 worth of property was stolen from her vehicle. Mr. Hendrix was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of an $11,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 5/7/18 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

             CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

 JOHNSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

                                                               NEWS RELEASE

The Johnson City Police Department is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Department’s Junior Police Academy. The Academy will be geared toward area youth, both males and females, between the ages of 14 and 18. The Academy will be held at the Johnson City Police Department Training Grounds during the week of July 16-20, 2018.

The program will focus on youth and young adults who have an interest in the law enforcement profession. It has been designed to take the mystery out of police procedures and policies while informing and educating the cadets involved toward police officers and their role in society. The cadets will attend a 40-hour course climaxing in a team-oriented competition that involves skills, knowledge, and abilities they have learned through interesting and knowledgeable instruction.

During their week of instruction, the cadets will experience what it is like to go through a real police academy and, although not as comprehensive or demanding, the cadets will learn the same skills. It will also aid in adding potential participants to the Johnson City Police Department’s Explorer Program.

The Junior Police Academy is a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity for a hands-on learning experience for young people in topics such as Crime Scene Investigations, Traffic Stops, DUI Enforcement, Police Use-of-Force, teen driving education, and earning their CPR/First Aid certification as well as learning about the Johnson City Police Department’s Explorer Program.

Anyone interested in participating in this academy can contact Officer Jaeda Burkey through Johnson City Police Department’s Records Division (423) 434-6125, Glenda Aschenback at (423) 434-6122, or come by the Records Division to pick-up an application. Deadline for applications will be July 2, 2018.  Each class is limited to 25 students. 

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 05/09/18, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Jonathan R. Hughes (19 years old, 1220 Indian Ridge Rd) and charged him with numerous offenses.  Mr. Hughes was wanted on existing warrants for vandalism when investigators found a vehicle associated with him at Econo Lodge, 207 E Mountcastle Dr, at approximately 10:00 am on 05/09/18.  As Investigators were approaching the door, Mr. Hughes ran out the door and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.  He was transported to the Johnson City Police Department and interviewed about a number of auto burglaries in the city.  He subsequently confessed to a number of auto burglaries in and around the W. Market St/Indian Ridge Rd area.  Mr. Hughes is charged with 4 counts of Auto Burglary, 4 counts of Theft under $1,000, one count of Vandalism over $1,000, and Evading Arrest.  He is being held in the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a combined bond of $10,200.  He is scheduled for Arraignment in General Sessions Court on 05/10/18. 

Please find attached a press release for the promotion of Captain Steve Smith to the position of major at the Johnson City Police Department.

Thank you,

Chief Karl Turner

Please find attached a picture of Major Steve Smith.

Thank you,

Chief Karl Turner

Keisha Shoun

Community Relations

City of Johnson City

601 E. Main St.

Johnson City, TN 37601

(423)434-6249 Office

(423)557-5177 Cell

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SUBJECT: Habitual Motor Offender/DUI                               DATE: 5/12/18                   TIME: 10:29 p.m.

PREPARED BY: Officer Cody Tester                          APPROVED BY: Sgt. Hodges

On 5/12/18, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Lesia E. Fender (144 Tittle Circle, 49 years old) and charged her with Habitual Motor Offender, DUI 3^rd Offense, and failure to comply with financial responsibility.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle crash at Buffalo St. near E. Market St. Ms. Fender drove her vehicle up onto the sidewalk, striking the railroad tracks, before crashing into a light pole. Both the driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries on scene before being released by medical personnel.  The investigation revealed that Ms. Fender was too intoxicated to safely operate a motor vehicle during the crash.  A check of her driving history revealed that she is classified as a Habitual Motor Offender. She was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she is being held awaiting a bond hearing.  Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 5/14/18, in Washington County General Sessions Court.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 5/15/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Sophia Alexis Whitley (1308 Knob Creek Rd., 19 years old) and charged her with auto burglary and theft under $1,000.

The arrest comes as a result of an investigation into an auto burglary that occurred at 400 N. State of Franklin Rd. on the evening of 3/23/18. The victim went to work that morning and when she returned to her vehicle later that day, she found it had been rummaged through and property removed. Through the course of the investigation, Sophia Whitley was identified as one of the perpetrators involved in this theft.

On 5/15/18, Whitley was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she is being held in lieu of an $11,000 bond. Arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. on 5/16/18 in Washington County General Sessions Court.    

Sgt. Don Shepard

Criminal Investigation Division

Johnson City Police Department

601 E. Main . St

Johnson City, TN 37601

Office 423-434-6166

Fax- 423-434-6247

dshepard@johnsoncitytn.org

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 5/18/18, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Deric Beatty (58 years old, 420 Lamont Street), and charged him with three counts of selling crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine for resale, maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are kept or sold, and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia..

The arrest was the result of an investigation into the distribution of crack cocaine. During the investigation, Mr. Beatty sold quantities of crack cocaine to an individual working on law enforcement’s behalf on three different occasions. On 5/18/18, investigators executed a search warrant at Mr. Beatty’s residence where additional crack cocaine was located and Mr. Beatty was taken into custody.

Mr. Beatty was transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he was being held in lieu of a $51,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Washington County General Sessions Court on 5/21/18 at 9:00 a.m.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

         On May 4, 2018, Investigators with the Johnson City Police Department presented their findings to the Washington County Grand Jury in the 2017 Rebecca Thompson (A.K.A. Stacy McGee) homicide investigation. As a result, several indictments were handed down on four individuals who were arrested in a two day operation (May 21^st and 22^nd) occurring in Johnson City and Chattanooga, Tennessee. These arrests are a result of a 10 month investigation into the murder of a young pregnant woman sitting in a vehicle while her infant daughter was in the backseat. The Johnson City Police Department was assisted by several agencies throughout this investigation, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the United States Attorney General’s Office, the First Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department as well as the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.

      Arrested in this two day round-up were:

(1)    Isiah Devon Milligan (dob 2/4/1994)

1609 Orleans Street

Johnson City, Tennessee

Charges: First Degree Murder, First Degree Murder (Commission of a Felony), First Degree Murder (Solicitation of First Degree Murder) (2 Counts)

Bond: $500,000.00

(2)    Avios Alexander Griffin (dob 11/9/1993)

1817 Fieldcrest Circle, Apartment # 8

Johnson City, Tennessee

Charges: First Degree Murder, First Degree Murder (Commission of a Felony)

Bond: $500,000.00

(3)    Monte Lamar Brewer Jr. (dob 2/12/1991)

4030 Lynncrest Drive N.E.

Cleveland, Tennessee

Charges: First Degree Murder, First Degree Murder (Commission of a Felony)

Bond: $500,000.00

(4)    Eugene Aireese Glover (dob 4/10/1987)

1707 Joiner Road

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Charges: First Degree Murder, First Degree Murder (Commission of a Felony)

Bond: $500,000.00

      The investigation remains ongoing, and therefore, no statements will be made into the case involving motive or evidence collected at this time. It is our hope that these arrests will bring some comfort to Ms. Thompson’s (McGee) family as well as relief to the citizens of Johnson City that the perpetrators of this horrific act have been arrested.

Lt. Kevin Peters

Johnson City Police Department

Criminal Investigation Division

601 E. Main Street

Johnson City, TN  37605

423-434-6166 (CID Office)

423-434-6119 (Office)

CITY OF JOHNSON CITY

JOHNSON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

The Johnson City Police Department will be adding additional officers to Johnson City streets this upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend.  This extra enforcement will be conducted through a partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, which will provide funding for the project.

The goal of this high visibility DUI enforcement is to keep impaired drivers off the road in two ways, first to deter people from driving under the influence, and secondly for officers to closely observe motorists for behaviors that could indicate impaired driving.

The JCPD’s DUI enforcement efforts have resulted in 28 DUI arrests over the last five years of Memorial Day holiday weekends.  The Department also recorded four impaired-driving crashes, three of which resulted in occupant injuries.  Before celebrating Memorial Day this year, make a choice between drinking OR driving.  If you choose to drink, designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely. If you’re planning on driving, commit to not drinking.

Grant is funded by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

On 5/22/2018 at 9:19pm, patrol officers of the Johnson City Police Department responded to the railroad tracks parallel to Buffalo St between Roan St and Market St in reference to a train striking a pedestrian. On arrival, the victim, identified as George E Pealer, a 50 year old man was located and pronounced deceased on scene. The train was a Norfolk Southern Corp. locomotive and employees/ witnesses gave statements to the incident. The train is equipped with video surveillance equipment and the footage will be reviewed by investigators when available. The investigation is still ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

JCPD NEWS RELEASE

On 05/24/18, the Johnson City Police Department arrested Jermaine Cooley (40 yrs old, 1305 E. Holston Ave #1) and charged him with Possession of Stolen Property over $2,500.  The arrest stems from an investigation into the recovery of a 2006 Toyota Sienna van at Econo Lodge, 207 E. Mountcastle Dr, that was reported stolen out of Lynchburg, VA.  Mr. Cooley is being held in the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled for Arraignment in General Sessions Court on Friday 05/25/18 at 10:00 am.