Johnson City Police Beats

Published 10:46 am Wednesday, December 21, 2022

On Thursday, Dec. 15, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Joshua James, Johnson City, and charged him with a weapons law violation.

At approximately 3:24 p.m., officers responded to Laundry Mat, 607 Twin Oaks, Suite 1, in response to a disturbance involving a possibly intoxicated male. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the male and he provided a false identity. The male was detained, identified as Joshua James, who was found to have multiple outstanding warrants and is a convicted felon. During a search incident to arrest, James was found to have a firearm in his possession.

He was arrested and charged with a weapons law violation for being a felon in possession of a firearm. James was transported to Washington County Detention Center and is being held on an $11,000 bond. Arraignment was on Dec. 16 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On Friday, Dec. 16, investigators of the Johnson City Police Department arrested James Rutledge, Johnson City, and charged him with one count of aggravated assault (domestic) and one count of simple assault (domestic).

At approximatelg 1:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, officers arrived at 724 Liberty Bell Blvd. and discovered Rutledge in front of the apartments with a stab wound to his abdomen. Investigators arrived on scene and determined that Rutledge assaulted his girlfriend by choking her and placing her in fear of her life. He then assaulted his girlfriend’s mother by throwing her across the bedroom. The investigation revealed Rutledge’s stab wound was evidence of a self-defense struggle between Rutledge and his girlfriend.

Rutledge was released from the Johnson City Medical Center Friday, Dec. 16, and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he was held in lieu of a $51,000 bond. He was arraigned on Dec. 19 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Timothy Libbey, Athens, and charged him with aggravated assault, aggravated assault against a First Responder, three counts of simple assault against a First Responder, and resisting arrest.

At 7:23 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Hampton Inn, 508 N. State of Franklin Road in reference to a physical assault. Officers arrived to find that Libbey had attacked an employee of the Hampton Inn. During the course of the investigation, Libbey attacked responding officers in an unprovoked manner. Ultimately, Libbey was subdued and transported to the Johnson City Medical Center for evaluation. Upon his release, he was taken into custody by officers. Libbey was then transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is held in lieu of a $101,000 bond. Arraignment was Dec. 19 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, Johnson City Police Department officers arrested Chance Garland, Johnson City, on felony charges stemming from an attempted traffic stop.

At about midnight, officers observed a vehicle traveling 49 miles per hour, in a 30-mile-per-hour zone, on Watauga Road. Officers attempted a traffic stop and the driver accelerated away at a high rate of speed. While fleeing, the vehicle nearly hit a parked, and occupied, police cruiser while traveling at 101 mph. Officers observed the driver turn off the vehicle lights and drive toward the city limits on Smith Street, where it was ultimately abandoned near Furnace Road. Two occupants fled from the vehicle on foot and Garland was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. Garland was later discovered to be the driver of the vehicle.

A warrant was obtained and Garland was charged with felony evading arrest, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, speeding, no headlights, improper registration display, and driving on a suspended license.

Garland is currently being held in the Washington County Detention Center on a $23,000 bond. Arraignment was on Dec. 19 in Washington County General Sessions Court.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, officers of the Johnson City Police Department arrested Johnny R. Woodby, Johnson City, and charged him with aggravated assault.

At 2:25 a.m., officers responded to 212 Green Valley Drive in reference to an unknown disturbance with a possible weapon involved. Upon arrival, officers discovered suspect, Johnny Woodby, and the victim in the carport area of the listed location. The victim appeared to have severe injuries to his facial area. Woodby was detained and the victim was transported by EMS to Johnson City Medical Center for further medical treatment. Further investigation revealed the victim and Woodby were in an argument inside the residence. The victim struck Woodby and he defended himself by knocking the victim to the ground. Woodby proceeded to repeatedly kick the victim in the face causing severe bodily injury to his face.

Woodby was placed under arrest for aggravated assault and transported to the Washington County Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of a $40,000 bond. Arraignment was on Dec. 19 in Washington County General Sessions Court.