News Releases |
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May 15, 2008 Two Washington County residents caught with over 2 pounds of Marijuana.
According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Investigators and Drug Enforcement Administration Agents served a search warrant at 308 Orleans Street in Johnson City Wednesday afternoon. The results of the search were recovery of over 36 ounces of marijuana, digital scales, baggies and the arrest of two individuals: Justin A Bennett, age 25, 308 Orleans Street, was charged with Possession of Schedule VI for Resale, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $6,000 and he is scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 in Johnson City. Bennett is currently on probation is Washington County, TN. Samantha R Depriest, age 21, 308 Orleans Street; was charged with Possession of Schedule VI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her bond was also set at $6,000 and she is scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 in Johnson City. A small amount of cash was seized. The street value of the marijuana is approximately $2500.
May 14, 2008 A Washington County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted man has been extradited from California. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Charles Wayne Miller, 27, 126 Valentine Circle, Telford, Tn was returned to Washington County custody after being on the run for seven months. Miller escaped while on a work detail at the Gray Fairgrounds on October 7, 2007, he was serving a four year sentence for Violation of Probation. Miller was arrested in California and returned to Washington County where is charged with Felony Escape. Miller has a $10,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment on May 15, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the General Session Court of Washington County, Jonesborough. Sheriff Graybeal added that Miller’s arrest brings the total to 32 persons who have been located since the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted began in June 2005. May 14, 2008 An email tip lead to Johnson City mans arrest on outstanding warrants. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received an email in reference to a man wanted by Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office. Washington County Sheriff’s Office Support Services Division acted on the email tip yesterday and went to 903 Embreeville Road, where Johnny Russell Roberts, 36. 200 Bettie Street, Johnson City, TN was arrested without incident. Roberts is charged with Failure to Report for Jail Time and Violation of Probation on Driving Under the Influence. Roberts has no bond on the Failure to Report and a $2,500 bond on the Violation. His arraignment is set for May 15, 2008 in the General Sessions Court of Johnson City. May 12, 2008 False report causes delay in investigation. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Investigators were called out early Friday morning on a supposed Abduction, Aggravated Robbery, Rape and Aggravated Assault. Investigators spent the next 5 hours obtaining detailed written statements. They soon discovered several large discrepancies in the victim’s story. Investigators confronted the victim on these discrepancies and learned that the victim had lied about several key factors in the case. The victim retold her story and that case is being investigated as a rape. The incident occurred on highway 11E in Washington County. Investigators have interviewed several witnesses, and hope to have a disposition soon. May 8, 2008 A Washington County Sheriff’s Detention Officer is behind bars today charged with eight felonies.
According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Timothy R. Crain, age 39 of 2006 Heritage Place Johnson City was arrested this morning after Investigators questioned him about allegations of introducing contraband into the facility. During the interview, Crain told investigators that he had smuggled tobacco products in to several prisoners in return for money. Crain also told investigators that he had made arrangements with prisoners for payment by going in to the prisoner’s property and obtaining debit cards and making withdrawals from personal bank accounts using a P.I.N. number provided by the inmate. In addition to being terminated, Crain is being charged with eight counts of Official Misconduct and is being held in the Washington County Detention Center on a $16000.00 bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in Jonesborough.
May 5, 2008 With high school graduations, summer vacations and the summer holidays just around the corner, higher than normal volumes of traffic are expected throughout our region. With the fuel prices rising, it is anticipated that many of our residents will be traveling locally and enjoying what our beautiful area has to offer. Today, Sheriff Ed Graybeal announces that in conjunction with the Governors Highway Safety Office and the many law enforcement agencies in Northeast Tennessee as well as our counterparts in Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina that the “kick-off” for the summer traffic enforcement initiatives will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Tennessee Highway Patrol, District Five Office, Fall Branch, Tennessee. According to Sheriff Graybeal, “As you are aware, our region has been very proactive in our approaches to highway traffic safety. With the success of the Click It or Ticket, 100 Days of Summer Heat, Buckle Up in Your Truck and the Hands Across the Border programs, hundreds of lives have been saved on our area roadways. With similar programs in Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, our entire region is committed to making “every ride a safe ride”. Scheduled to be present at the event is Deputy Director Mia Vickers of the Governors Highway Safety Office, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Safety, local Sheriff’s and Chiefs and our law enforcement partners from Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina. Sheriff Graybeal added, “Regular seatbelt usage is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities. In 2005, 77% of the passenger vehicle occupants in a serious crash who were buckled up survived the crash. When worn correctly, seatbelts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injuries to front-seat passengers by 45% and by 60% in pick-up trucks, SUV’s and mini-vans. It will be our focus this year to make sure drivers and passengers are wearing their seatbelts, children that are required to be in a child passenger safety seat are in them and are in them correctly, whether it be during the day or at night.” The enforcement campaign for “Click It or Ticket” begins May 19, 2008 and concludes June 1, 2008. May 5, 2008 The Director of the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office is scheduled to be the key-note speaker at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office S.T.A.R Academy graduation. Today, Sheriff Ed Graybeal announces that on May 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., the participants of the S.T.A.R. Academy will be recognized during a graduation ceremony at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, TN. The featured speaker of the event will be Mr. Kendell Poole, Director of the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office. The S.T.A.R. Academy, (Sheriff’s Training for Awareness and Responsibility) originated in April of 2005. It is designed to give young adults, ages 18-21, some much needed guidance in making decisions that may affect their lives for many years. The program provides concepts of the criminal justice system as well an overall view of the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office. The focus of the program is accountability and responsibility in their daily decision making process. Sheriff Graybeal stated, “I am proud of these young adults and what they have accomplished during this six-week period. Our staff has learned as much from them as they have from us. When we started this program, I wanted the participants to know that our agency cares about them and to give them a unique look at what we do and how we can make a difference, together. I wish each of them the best of luck and whatever they may choose to do, I want it to be a good responsible choice for them, their family and the community as a whole.” April 28, 2008 Several motorists charged after weekend saturation patrols. Today, Sheriff Ed Graybeal announced the results of two traffic saturation patrols that were conducted Friday, April 25, 2008 and Saturday, April 26, 2008, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. respectively. These patrols are a part of the continued effort to detect speeders, reckless drivers, distracted and/or impaired drivers, those who choose to drink and drive and those that violation vehicle occupant restraint laws. According to Sheriff Graybeal, “We want the citizens that live in Washington County and those that choose to visit to feel safe when they travel our roadways. We are determined to continue our efforts in promoting highway traffic safety and to our commitment in making every ride, a safe ride.” The saturation patrol result in the issuance of eight (8) citations for speeding, three (3) citations for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Responsibility, and one (1) citation for Driving Without a Drivers License. A total of twelve (12) written warnings were issued for various traffic related offenses. Also, deputies issued two (2) citations for drag racing. On April 26, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. two vehicles were observed traveling west on Hwy 11E between Jonesborough and Johnson City. The vehicles were traveling side by side and exceeding the posted speed limit for this roadway. The vehicles were stopped and it was learned that both drivers were juveniles, ages 16 and 17 respectively. Both are scheduled to appear in court on June 17, 2008 in Jonesborough, TN. On April 26, 2008 at 12:01 a.m., a Johnson City man was arrested and charged with DUI and No Drivers License. Deputies arrested Margarito Martinez-Hernandez, age 24, 2105 North Greenwood Drive, Johnson City, TN after deputies observed the vehicle Hernandez was driving swerving on the roadway and traveling in the wrong traffic lane. Hernandez was taken to the Washington County Detention Center where he was processed and held on a $1,000.00 bond. He is scheduled to be in General Sessions Court at 1:30 p.m. today.
On April 27, 2008, at 1:00 a.m., deputies found a man standing in the middle of the Hwy 93 on-ramp of Interstate 81 in Fall Branch, TN. Officers determined the man to be intoxicated. The man had a brown paper shopping bag. When the officers looked in the bag, they discovered a green plant material believed to be marijuana. The man was identified as Stephen Earl Metcalf, 43 of 231 Tucker Hollow Road, Fall Branch, TN. Metcalf was arrested and transported to the Washington County Detention Center. The plant material weighed in at 4.4 pounds. Metcalf was charged with Public Intoxication, Possession of Schedule VI for Resale and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $6,500.00 with his arraignment set for today at 1:30 p.m. in Washington County General Sessions Court.
Sheriff Graybeal added, “This past weekend, both High Schools in Washington County held their Senior Proms. At the time of this release, no serious injuries or fatalities from traffic crashes occurred. We would like to remind those that will be graduating this year, that we will be conducting similar saturation patrols during graduation weekend. Please be responsible and mindful of your futures.” Funding for this enforcement activity made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office. April 28, 2008 UPDATE: Man dies in accidental house fire in Washington County. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, the unidentifiable body that was taken to Quillen College of Medicine for positive identification has been identified by dental records as being John Anthony Simms, 46 of 268 Mosier Road, Washington County. April 25, 2008 Man dies in accidental house fire in Washington County. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a mobile home fire at 268 Mosier Road in Washington County. The home was fully engulfed in flames upon arrival of First Responders. The fire caused one fatality .The unidentifiable body was taken to Quillen College of Medicine for positive identification. This morning the Washington County Arson Task Force and the State Fire Marshall’s Office assisted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in conducting the follow up investigation and determined the fire to be an accident. April 23, 2008 A Burglary suspect has been arrested after being found asleep inside his vehicle at the crime scene.
According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, deputies responded to 2285 Highway 107 in the South Central Community at approximately 7:30 a.m. yesterday after the residents contacted 9-1-1 in reference to a burglary. The occupants of the home told deputies that they discovered the burglary when their 16 year old son was preparing to leave for school and found four vehicles in the garage with the doors open. Upon arrival deputies located Jeffery Edward Allen Love age 24 of 213 Bumpus Cove Road, Erwin, asleep in his vehicle. Upon further investigation deputies discovered that Love had broken a window in the garage area of the home and made entry. Upon Love making entry to the residence he is alleged to have broken in to four vehicles that were parked inside the garage. Love has been charged with Aggravated Burglary, and four counts of Auto Burglary in addition to Resisting Arrest. His bond is set at $51,000.00 and an arraignment is scheduled for today at 9:00 a.m. and Jonesborough.
April 22, 2008 Federal Search warrants lead to the seizure of drugs, cash and vehicles with the arrest of one.
According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County officers, in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, served Federal search warrants at 2108 East Unaka Avenue and 135 Young Road, both in Johnson City. The searches resulted in seizure of over 1 pound of powdered cocaine, prepackaged for resale in one ounce packages, and over $20,000 cash. Officers also seized numerous firearms and 4 vehicles. Salvador Llamas- Gayton; age 31; 135 Young Road/ 2108 East Unaka Avenue, Johnson City; was arrested and charged with Possession with intent to distribute Cocaine, and Possession of a weapon in furtherance of a drug crime. Gayton was arraigned at Greeneville Federal Courthouse on Friday the 18th of April 2008 and is being held under a temporary detention order until the 22nd of April when he will reappear before the Federal Magistrate to determine if he will be held with or without bond pending a trial. Salvador Llamas-Gayton has obtained legal resident status and is a resident of the United States of America. During the investigation into Gayton, it was discovered that his brother Edgar Llamas-Gayton had been arrested and sentenced due to possession of a firearm by an illegal immigrant. Edgar has completed his Federal Prison Term and is awaiting deportation. Investigators will be available to answer questions and will have some of the items on display for photos at 2:00 p.m. today at the Downtown Center Courthouse.
April 18, 2008 Chuckey man Air-Lifted to area hospital following a farming accident. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Sheriff deputies responded to an accident on a farm near the intersection of Peppermill Road and Clyde Laws Road in the South Central Community of Washington County. Upon arrival it was discovered that the injured party, J.D. Wilhoit, 85, of 260 Peppermill Road, Chuckey, TN was opening a gate to allow access to a fertilizer truck. While opening the gate, Mr. Wilhoit slipped and fell under the right rear axle of the fertilizer truck. Mr. Wilhoit sustained injuries and was air-lifted to JCMC by Wings Air Rescue. Mr. Wilhiot’s condition is unknown at this time. No charges are being filed at this time. The accident is under investigation by the |
