Two People Found Asleep in Car with Drugs, Gun and Small Child, Police Say

Two People Found Asleep in Car with Drugs, Gun and Small Child, Police Say

December 13, 2023
Jason Sullivan, 45 and Shalena Wells, 39 (Courtesy: JIMS)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Two people are now facing charges after police found them asleep in a car with drugs, a gun and a small child.

Knoxville Police Department officials say the incident happened around 6:00 a.m. Monday when officers
responded to an address on Merchant Drive to find 39 year-old Shalena Wells and 45 year-old Jason Sullivan asleep in a Hyundai Accent. When they woke Sullivan up and he stepped out of the car, a “clear crystal like substance” fell out of his lap.

Officers also found a glass pipe, a cut straw and a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver. Police said they believed that the two had methamphetamine and cocaine in the car. According to police, the gun was in a black bag situated next to a child in the back seat.

Both Sullivan and Wells were charged with child abuse. Sullivan, a convicted felon, is also facing a weapons charge, and Wells was charged with several drug charges.

Seven Juveniles, Including Barricaded Suspect, Taken Into Custody at W. Martin Mill Pike Home 

Seven Juveniles, Including Barricaded Suspect, Taken Into Custody at W. Martin Mill Pike Home 

December 13, 2023

Seven teenage males, all juveniles, were arrested after Knoxville Police Department officers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle on Tuesday afternoon.

At around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, KPD officers spotted a Hyundai SUV on Maryville Pike that was reported stolen in Sevier County. Officers attempted to stop the SUV, but the driver did not stop and sped away.

At around 1:45 p.m., a resident reported that two unknown individuals wearing all black had run through their yard. It was further reported that those individuals had gone to a home in the 5300 block of W. Martin Mill Pike.

One of the juveniles who was in the stolen car was located in the home, while the other six juveniles were located inside of a camper behind the home.

Four exited the camper and were taken into custody without incident.

One juvenile, a 16-year-old male armed with two firearms, refused to come out of the camper and barricaded himself inside.

KPD crisis negotiators were requested to the scene. Due to the address being outside of city limits, Knox County Sheriff’s Office negotiators and additional personnel responded to the scene as well.

After over 90 minutes of negotiations, in coordination with KCSO personnel, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Another juvenile was found hiding inside the camper following the resolution of the barricaded situation.

Two firearms were recovered in addition to numerous suspected Hydrocodone pills. The stolen SUV was found abandoned a short distance from the residence on W. Martin Mill. 

All seven juveniles were taken into custody on various charges related to auto theft, weapon possession, and evading arrest.

Over 86,000 Lbs of Trash Collected During No Trash November Campaign

Over 86,000 Lbs of Trash Collected During No Trash November Campaign

December 13, 2023

More than 86,000 pounds of litter was removed from communities throughout Tennessee as part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s https://www.tn.gov/tdot.html (TDOT) 3rd Annual No Trash November https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/join-the-movement/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv4rtyNOMgwMVpolaBR0Ywwh8EAAYASAAEgI6JvD_BwE, a month-long initiative to ensure the state’s roadways and waterways are safe from the harmful effects of litter.

Spearheaded by TDOT’s Nobody Trashes Tennessee https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/join-the-movement/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv4rtyNOMgwMVpolaBR0Ywwh8EAAYASAAEgI6JvD_BwEcampaign, the initiative encourages residents to join cleanups through Keep Tennessee Beautiful (KTnB) affiliates, Adopt-A-Highway groups, or by hosting their own community cleanups in November. All told, 2,201 volunteers participated in 154 cleanups, collecting 4,303 bags of litter, weighing 86,064 pounds. Thirty-seven of Tennessee’s 95 counties were represented.

“The impact of No Trash November continues to grow each year,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “This initiative affirms why Tennessee is called the volunteer state and is an excellent example of successful collaborations between nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, and state, county, and city governments.”

More than an eyesore, litter on our public roads and waterways has detrimental impacts on safety, the environment, and the economy. At any given time, there are 88 million pieces of litter on the state’s roadways. TDOT spends more than $23 million annually on litter pickup and prevention education, which is funded through dedicated revenue from Tennessee’s Soft Drink and Malt Beverage industries.

“We are grateful for our many partners across the state that came together in November to help us in our mission to prevent and reduce litter,” said Brittany Morris, TDOT Transportation Program Coordinator. “This year’s No Trash November exceeded our goal by more than 36,000 pounds. We also increased the number of cleanups and volunteers and expanded the program to include even more opportunities for student-athletes and youth groups, including Girl Scout Troops.”

Special recognition for the most pounds collected in four categories (Keep Tennessee Beautiful Affiliate, Adopt-A-Highway Group, Youth Group, and River Group) goes to Memphis City Beautiful for collecting 11,936 pounds, HOA Litter Angels in Lenoir City for collecting 960 pounds, The Cleanup Kids in Hamilton County for collecting 340 pounds, and Keep Tennessee River Beautiful for removing 13,126 pounds from Cherokee Lake of the Holston River.

Learn more about the state’s litter reduction and education efforts at https://nobodytrashestennessee.com/ . Visit the event calendar to participate in cleanup and beautification events in your community. Additional ways to get involved include the no-cost Adopt-A-Highway Program and reporting littering incidents through the Tennessee Litter Hotline (1-877-8LITTER). Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Knoxville Police are Searching for a Suspect in an Early Morning Shooting at a North Knoxville Motel

Knoxville Police are Searching for a Suspect in an Early Morning Shooting at a North Knoxville Motel

December 13, 2023

Knoxville Police Department detectives are in the early stages of an investigation into a shooting that happened on Wednesday morning at a Merchant Center Boulevard motel.   

At around 7:10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, KPD officers responded to the report of a shooting with a victim at the Econo Lodge at 5505 Merchant Center Boulevard. Officers arrived on scene and found a man in a second-floor room who had been shot at least one time. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. At this time, he is in critical but stable condition.   

It is believed that the currently unidentified male suspect entered the room, shot the victim for reasons that remain under investigation and left the area in a vehicle. Efforts remain ongoing to positively identify and locate the suspect.   

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.  

Three Face Charges after Stealing Cattle, Department of Agriculture Says

Three Face Charges after Stealing Cattle, Department of Agriculture Says

December 12, 2023
(Pexels / Denitsa Kireva)

McMinn County, TN (WOKI) Three people are facing charges after stealing at least five cattle in McMinn County.

Officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture say the theft occurred on December 3 in Englewood and that DOA investigators were able to track the cattle to a sale in Lincoln County on Craigslist.

During the course of their investigation, authorities identified Gary James Hill of Sweetwater and Thomas Dewayne Pressley and Donna Ann Vaughn, both from Athens, as suspects in the case.

All three were arrested last week and all are facing felony charges of theft over $6,000.

Officials say the cattle were returned to the owner, and some of the money from the Craigslist sale was recovered.

TBI Asking for Help Finding Missing East Tennessee Teen

TBI Asking for Help Finding Missing East Tennessee Teen

December 12, 2023
Lillian Rein (Courtesy: TBI)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking for a missing 14-year-old girl.

TBI officials say Lillian Rein, who is white with brown hair and blue eyes, stands five feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.

They say she is from Spencer, Tennessee, north of Chattanooga, and was last seen on December 9.

Those with information are being asked to contact the Spencer Police Department at 931-946-4000 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is Asking for Donations after 17 Dogs are Found in a Storage Unit

Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is Asking for Donations after 17 Dogs are Found in a Storage Unit

December 12, 2023
Photo courtesy of Morristown Hamblen Humane Society Facebook Page

The Morristown Hamblen Humane Society is asking for donations after 17 Chihuahuas were rescued from a storage unit.

Officials say the dogs were found Sunday and all needed vet evaluations and some were so young their eyes weren’t open yet.

They are asking for puppy pads, Purina dog chow small bites and blankets. These dogs are also in serious need of socialization so enrichment type toys for small dogs are also being requested.

Anyone with information on why the dogs were left in the storage unit are asked to contact Hamblen County Animal Control.

Knoxville Police are Still Searching for Carjacking Suspect in USPS Truck Theft

Knoxville Police are Still Searching for Carjacking Suspect in USPS Truck Theft

December 12, 2023

Knoxville Police are still searching for the suspect in the carjacking of a USPS truck.

KPD says now 18 year-old Kemian Strawder is being sought in connection to last week’s carjacking on Dandridge Avenue. At the time of the carjacking he was under 18, so police filed juvenile petitions charging him with carjacking, aggravated assault and weapons charges.

He should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information please call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.

Fire Crews Respond to Structure Fire on Washington Ave., 10 People Displaced

Fire Crews Respond to Structure Fire on Washington Ave., 10 People Displaced

December 11, 2023
The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2100 block of Washington Ave. Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Ten people are now looking for a place to stay after a structure fire Saturday in East Knoxville.

The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2100 block of Washington Avenue Saturday afternoon. KFD reported heavy fire in the basement of a two-story building.

Fire officials say approximately 10 people were displaced because of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The Red Cross is assisting with the situation.

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