Two Johnson City men are facing charges after police responded to a report of a male subject passed out in a vehicle at a city business.
Joshua Childress, 27, 100 W. Watauga Ave., Johnson City, was arrested by Elizabethton Police Department Cpl. Sarah Ellison and charged with public intoxication.
Joseph King, 18, 141 Horseshoe Drive, Johnson City, was issued a criminal summons by Ellison, charging him with underage consumption and possession of an imitation controlled substance.
According to a report by Ellison, officers were dispatched to the parking lot of a service station on West G Street on a report of a subject who was passed out and possibly convulsing.
Ellison said when she arrived on the scene she spoke with Childress, who was “obviously under the influence of an intoxicant.” Childress was standing beside a vehicle and King was sitting in the rear seat of the vehicle, Ellison said.
“Childress advised that (King) had passed out and began convulsing,” Ellison said. “(King) was awake but was obviously under the influence of an intoxicant. (King) advised that he and Childress had been smoking ‘K2’ – a synthetic drug – and drinking.”
While speaking to Childress, Ellison said he denied any drug use but said he had consumed one beer.
Ellison said Childress reported he was not from the area and didn’t have anyone to contact to come pick him up.
“Due to his level of intoxication, Childress was arrested and transported to the Carter County Jail for his safety and the safety of the public at large,” Ellison said.
While waiting for Carter County Emergency Medical Services to respond to the scene, Ellison said she was attempting to positively identify King, who gave the officer permission to search the vehicle for his wallet.
“When (I) opened the glove box (I) located a small quantity — approximately .6 grams — of suspected synthetic drug, known as ‘K2’,” Ellison said.
Ellison said emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene to evaluate King, who was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. She said King was issued a criminal summons on a charge of underage consumption of alcohol and possession of an imitation controlled substance.
Both Childress and King are scheduled to appear in Carter County General Sessions Court on Oct. 20.