Johnson City Police Beats

Published 12:15 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022

On September 28, officers with the Johnson City Police Department arrested Rita Metcalf, Huffine Road, Johnson City, and charged her with identity theft.

At approximately 9:41 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on a Kia Optima that was bearing a license plate that belonged to a Volvo. Once the vehicle came to a stop, officers asked Metcalf, a passenger in the vehicle, to identify herself. She then gave officers a social security number and date of birth that belonged to a family member.

A short time later, officers were able to positively identify Metcalf. She was then placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where she is being held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. Arraignment was on September 29 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On September 29, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Richard D. Walker, Jonesborough, and charged him with fugitive from justice.

The arrest occurred following a traffic stop on Boones Creek Road. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as Walker. He was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Russell County, Va., that was confirmed to be fully extraditable.

Walker was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is currently being held awaiting extradition. An arraignment was scheduled for September 30 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On September 29, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Joshua A. White, Elizabethton, and Kristen D. Davis, Johnson City. White is charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in commission of a dangerous felony, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, unlawful drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. Davis is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, maintaining a dwelling where controlled substances are sold, and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

The arrests occurred after a stolen vehicle was located at 118 Guy Street in Johnson City. The vehicle was located next to a shed in the residence’s backyard. Both White and Davis occupied that shed and ultimately were taken into custody. White was found to be in possession of a felony amount of methamphetamine and a handgun. Davis was also found with a felony amount of methamphetamine in her possession.

Both were arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where both are currently being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond. An arraignment was on September 30 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On September 29, at approximately 11 a.m., the Johnson City Police Department arrested Joshua White, Elizabethton, charging him with two counts of attempted theft over $1,000 and two counts of aggravated assault.

This arrest stems from the investigation of two attempted thefts of a catalytic converter that occurred on Sherri Hill Road in Johnson City. On September 19, White was seen on a SimpliSafe home camera plugging an extension cord into a residence’s outlet to operate a handheld saw to remove the victim’s catalytic converter. White was unable to complete the theft, and left the area. On September 21, White returned to the residence and attempted a second time to steal the same catalytic converter, using a handheld power saw. The homeowner was able to view the SimpliSafe video remotely, and alerted the neighbors, who attempted to intervene in the theft. White then pointed a handgun at the two neighbors, prior to fleeing the area.

White was placed under arrest and booked into the Washington County Detention Center on September 29, where he is being held in lieu of a $60,000 bond. White’s arraignment was on September 30, in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On September 30, James R. Hicks, 39, Johnson City, was arrested and charged with false reporting, driving on a suspended license (ninth offense), unlawful removal of registration plate, speeding and violation of the financial responsibility law. Officer K. Bowers observed a speeding Mazda Tribute on Watauga Road. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver provided false information about his identity before being arrested and identified as James R. Hicks. Hicks had also removed the registration plate from another vehicle and displayed it on the Mazda.

Hicks is currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center with a bail set at $5,000. Hicks appeared in Washington County Sessions Court on October 3.

On September 30, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested James Ferguson, Johnson City, and charged him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sale, DUI (second offense), simple possession, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers were initially dispatched to an address on W. Market Street in regards to a welfare check. Upon arrival, they observed Ferguson to be unconscious in the driver’s seat of an idling black Volkswagen Jetta. The driver was awakened after multiple attempts by officers. A free air sniff by a K9 unit alerted officers to an area of the vehicle where it was discovered to contain 4.24 grams of methamphetamine.

Ferguson was placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine with intent to resale, DUI (second offense), simple possession, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Washington County Detention Center and is being held without bond, with an arraignment on October 3, in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On September 30, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Zachary Cassella, Chadwick Drive, Johnson City, and charged him with false imprisonment, aggravated assault, simple assault against a first responder (three counts), and resisting arrest.

At approximately 12:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Bravo Inn in reference to a male that was holding a female against her will with a knife. The female was able to escape the room. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with Cassella still holding the knife. Officers were able to talk him into dropping the knife. Cassella exited the apartment and started speaking with officers when he grabbed an officer’s firearm and attempted to unholster it. Cassella continued attempting to grab officers’ firearms and resist arrest. After a brief struggle, officers were able to gain compliance and place Cassella in handcuffs.

Cassella was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, false imprisonment, three counts of simple assault against a first responder, and resisting arrest. Arraignment was on October 1 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

 On September 30, at approximately 4 a.m., officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Jeremy Thomas, charging him with one count each of possession of methamphetamine, possession of prohibited weapons, and improper use of registration papers.

The arrest occurred after officers made contact with a Dodge Challenger, bearing a tag belonging to a Ford, in the parking lot of Tyler Apartments, 6 Trivette Concourse. During the course of the contact, Thomas was found to be wanted on multiple warrants from other agencies. During the course of the arrest, he was found to be in possession of approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine and a set of brass knuckles.

Thomas was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of a $11,000 bond. He appeared in General Sessions Court on October 1.

On October 1, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Garrett Johnson, Greeneville, charging him with aggravated domestic assault.

The arrest was the result of an investigation where Johnson reportedly pointed a firearm at his ex-girlfriend. Johnson became angry that his ex-girlfriend was at a party. The victim stated that she met Johnson in her apartment and that is when he pointed the firearm at her and then put the firearm to his head. Neither the victim nor Johnson were injured as a result of this encounter.

Johnson was taken into custody at the Washington County Detention Center where he turned himself in. He is being held on a $6,000 bond with a court arraignment on October 3 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On October 3, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Elizabeth Ford, Johnson City, and charged her with aggravated assault.

At approximately 11:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 11E Motel on W Market Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. During the course of the investigation it was found she struck her boyfriend in the head with a rock.

Ford was placed under arrest for aggravated assault and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where she is being held in lieu of a $2,000 bond. Arraignment was on October 3  in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On October 3, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Kevin Mitchell, Johnson City, and charged him with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of heroin, three counts of unlawful drug paraphernalia, prohibited weapons, and driving with no license.

At approximately 9:50 p.m., officers stopped Mitchell for a traffic violation. It was determined that he does not have a valid driver’s license, and is wanted by the U.S. Marshals for a probation violation. Officers detained Mitchell and searched his vehicle after a police K-9 alerted on the car. Officers discovered 37 grams of methamphetamine, 0.8 grams of heroin, digital scales, glass smoking pipes, and a set of brass knuckles.

Mitchell was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond. His arraignment was on October 4 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On October 3, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Kaley N. Wells, Elizabethton, and charged her with possession of stolen property (over $1,000) and unlawful drug paraphernalia.

At approximately 9:31 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle at E. Main Street near Legion Street and identified the driver as Wells. Further investigation revealed that she was, in fact, in possession of a stolen vehicle valued at approximately $1,200. During a search of the vehicle, officers located two syringes.

Wells was taken into custody and transported to Washington County Detention Center on her charges. She is currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $2,000 bond. Her arraignment was on October 4 in Washington County General Sessions Court.