Press Release 3-5-13

On March 5, 2013 a traffic stop was conducted by officers of the Elizabethton Police Department due to the occupants of the vehicle not wearing seat belts.   The driver was identified as Mark Vaughn, and the passenger was identified as Terri Messer.   During the course of the traffic stop, EPD K9 Kero was deployed to conduct a K9 sniff of the vehicle.  During the sniff, K9 Kero exhibited a change in behavior consistent with the detection of illegal narcotics.  The final response was determined to be related to a white box which was located inside of the vehicle.  Among the contents of the box, officers located two bundles of a white crystallized substance, weighing approximately 30 grams each. The two packages were tested separately and both gave positive indicators for Methamphetamine.  Vaughn and Messer were both charged with Possession of Schedule II Narcotics for Resale and Violation of Seatbelt Law.  They are scheduled to appear in the Carter County General Sessions Court on April 1, 2013.

Press Release

On 03-06-13 the Elizabethton Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence located at 1002 Jordan Road.  The search warrant was the result of an investigation regarding the possible sale of illegal drugs from that location.   During the course of the search, officers located quantities of marijuana, along with cash and several firearms in the home.    The resident of the home, Wyatt E. Penrod, was charged with Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Schedule VI drugs For Resale, Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Maintaining a Dwelling for the Distribution of a Controlled Substance.  A second subject, identified as Jacob Deutschmann, was additionally charged with Simple Possession of Schedule VI and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Both were taken to the Carter County Jail and were given a court date in the Carter County General Sessions Court for April 1, 2013.

Press Release

On 11-11-12 the EPD began an investigation into a male harassing a female.  The victim said she was at a local retail store when an unknown male confronted her and began making vulgar gestures with his tongue and making comments in a low tone.   The victim said she got away from him and then she and her husband, Anthony Kneece, went to a different local retail store when the same unknown subject approached her making the same vulgar gestures with his tongue and put his hand on her shopping cart.  The victim said she told him to stop following her and began to walk toward the front of the store and told him she was getting her husband.  The victim said the male then ran from the store and got into his vehicle and departed.  She said he left in a brown colored Chrysler or Pontiac type sedan with numerous Obama campaign stickers on the rear window, trunk lid, and bumper area of the vehicle and gave a description of the male.   A suspect was developed, Hank S. Williams, and on 11-13-12 I showed the victim and her husband a photo line-up and they immediately picked out Williams as the male who had harassed the victim.    Due to Williams’ continuing actions causing Lillian Kneece to feel harassed, frightened, and threatened, I charged  Hank Steve Williams with Aggravated Stalking (TCA 39-17-315) due to the fact he has had a previous stalking conviction within the previous seven years.  He was arrested on November 21, 2012 under a $5000 bond.  He was additionally charged with evading arrest on this date (with a $2000 bond) for attempting to elude officers at his residence in the woods as they were attempting to serve the Aggravated Stalking warrant.  He is scheduled to answer all charges on January 7, 2013 in Carter County General Sessions Court.

PRESS RELEASE

The Elizabethton Police Department is seeking the help of the public in locating Crystal Renee Cozad.  On October 19th, 2012 at approximately 2304 hours Ptl Ryan Brackett observed a black Jeep Grand Cherokee make a left hand turn from Highway 67 East Bound to Milligan Highway when the arrow was red for turning left. Ptl. Brackett then conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle in the parking lot of The Smoke House restaurant at 1941 Milligan Highway.  The driver, identified as Crystal Renee Cozad (aka Crystal Taylor), produced a Tennessee Identification card and the vehicle registration.  Ptl. Brackett observed an open container behind the front passenger seat within reach of the driver. Based on the drivers and passengers suspicious movements, Ptl. Brackett requested a backup unit to his location. While Sgt White was arriving to assist, Ms. Cozad started the vehicle and left the traffic stop circling around the building. While exiting the parking lot, Ms. Cozad accelerated and nearly struck Sgt White's patrol car. Sgt. White had to make an evasive maneuver to position his cruiser from being hit. After leaving the parking lot, Ms. Cozad left driving at a high rate of speed. Due to Ms. Cozad's reckless driving behavior and the fact that Ptl. Brackett  had Ms. Cozad's information, city officers discontinued pursuit of the vehicle. If Anyone has  information on the whereabouts of Crystal Renee Cozad (aka Crystal Taylor) please contact the Elizabethton Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-423-542-7574.

PRESS RELEASE

On Thursday October 11, 2012 at approximately 1:19pm, officers of the Elizabethton Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Broad Street and Lynn Avenue in reference to a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.  It was learned that a dump truck was in the turn lane on Broad Street in order to make a left hand turn onto Lynn Avenue.  Two juveniles and an adult female, identified as Tiffani Marie Holston, were attempting to cross Broad Street in the crosswalk area.   One of the juveniles ran into the path of the dump truck and was struck as the truck began to turn onto Lynn Avenue.   The child, identified as 4-year old Joshua Holston, was transported to Sycamore Shoals Hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.  The operator of the dump truck was identified as Terry J. Kyte of Bristol, Tennessee.  The investigation is being conducted by the Elizabethton Specialized Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.

ALERT! EMAIL SCAM

From: Regina Muhammed [regina.muhammed1@voila.fr]
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 6:14 AM
Subject: From Miss Regina Muhammed

From Miss Regina Muhammed Abidjan Cote’ivoire Hello Dear, Please I will like you to consider to accept this my proposal despite that it will be suprise to you since we have not known or written before. My name is Miss Regina Muhammed the only daugther of late Mr Yusuf Muhammed  i am from Abidjan ,Coted'ivoire in west africa   .I am a girl of 20 years old , I wish to request for your urgent assistance in my investment plans in your base and also for  my studies and investment over there in your country under your proper care and control as my guardian, please my dear i contacted only you to help me receive my inherited money to your bank account after my very careful search through prayers I was convinced and decided to contact you for your assistance believing that i has to risk my humble trust and confidence in you to succeed in life as my dear life is in danger here. My father was a very wealthy cocoa merchant in Abidjan,the economic capital of Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates in collaboration with my wicked uncles on one of their outings on a business trip. Before his sudden death, He called me on his bedside at the hospital and told me that he has a sum Four Million Five Hundred Thousand United Dollars (  $4.5 Million USD )  deposited in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan Ivory Coast In west Africa , that he used my name for the next of kin in depositing of the fund.Now Due to political problem in my country and since am the only person left in my family and also my wicked uncle is trying to kill me and take all my late  father properties.Please  I seek your assistance in the following ways 1.) To provide a bank where this money can be transferred into. 2.) To make arrangements for me to come over to your country after the successful transferring of this money into your account, to come and further my education because I want to study medicine over there in your country. 3.) To help me invest this money in a profitable business since i am only 20yrs of age and do not have knowledge about business. 4.) To sponsor transfer this money into your account. 5.) I want you to promise me that you are not going to betray me after the money gets into your account. My dear, i am willing to offer you 20% of the total sum as compensation for your efforts and understanding after the successful transfer of this my money into your bank account. I believe that this transaction would be concluded within 7 days as soon as you signify your fully interest to help me for more details about me i will like you to contact me immediately through my private email address.  Awaiting your urgent reply  Regards Miss Regina Muhammed

PRESS RELEASE

On August 14th, 2012 at 0147 hours the Elizabethton Police Department was dispatched to a single vehicle motor vehicle wreck with injuries at 1518 Milligan Highway. Units arrived on scene and found a white 2002 BMW 325i had struck an overhead sign pole for Milligan Grocery.  The driver, Micah Alexander Cates, was transported to Johnson City Medical Center with serious injuries and the passenger, Tanner Lee Perkins, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The investigation into the crash was conducted by members of the Specialized Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.  While on scene officers located numerous items of drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle.  Findings of the investigation revealed that speed was a contributing factor into the wreck and lab results from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations indicated Mr. Cates was under the influence of an intoxicant.

The details of the investigation were presented to the Carter County Grand Jury on September 6th, 2012. The Carter County Grand Jury returned a True Bill charging Mr. Cates with Vehicular Homicide (Intoxication).  He was taken into custody on September 11th, 2012 and is scheduled to appear in Carter County Criminal Court.