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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Simple Yet Effective Traffic Enforcement Removes Yet Another Drug Dealer from Kingsport’s Streets | ||
| DATE: | March 16, 2017 | ||
| CASE #: | 17-006018 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| The Kingsport Police Department is seeing a recent trend where simple yet effective traffic enforcement is yielding significant results. Once again, a drug dealer is behind bars on multiple felony charges following a seemingly routine traffic stop for a relatively minor traffic violation.
On March 15, 2017 at approximately 8:15 PM, a Kingsport Police Lieutenant was working a traffic enforcement detail funded by a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) in the 400 block of Allen Drive in Kingsport. He observed a white 2008 GMC Sierra pickup truck with the passenger-side head light not working. A traffic stop ensued, during which it was determined that the driver, identified as Jonathan A. Vanzant, had been driving on a revoked license. Mr. Vanzant was arrested and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Prior to entry into the jail, he was asked if he had any contraband on his person, and he denied having any. During a thorough search at booking, an alert K.P.D. Corrections Officer discovered a pill bottle concealed in Mr. Vanzant’s pant leg near his groin. The bottle contained the following: 1) 3 small baggies of a green plant material believed to be Marijuana 2) 2 small baggies of a crystal substance believed to be Methamphetamine 3) A baggie containing 8 yellow pills believed to be Xanax and 2 orange pill fragments believed to be Barbiturates The Corrections Officer also located a syringe in the pocket of Mr. Vanzant’s pants. Based upon his initial traffic violations and the subsequent discovery of contraband, he was charged with the following: 1) Possession of a Schedule II Drug (Methamphetamine) for Resale 2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug (Xanax) for Resale 3) Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) for Resale 4) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance (Barbiturates) 5) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Syringe) 6) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility 7) Driving on a Revoked License 8) Violation of Light Law He was arraigned the following morning and currently remains confined in the Kingsport City Jail in lieu of a $32,250 bond as specified by the presiding judge. |
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| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Jonathan A. Vanzant |
| Age | Date of Birth 2/11/1978
39 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/White |
| Residency | 532 Preakness Court
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Possession of a Schedule II Drug (Methamphetamine) for Resale
2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug (Xanax) for Resale 3) Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) for Resale 4) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance (Barbiturates) 5) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Syringe) 6) Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Facility 7) Driving on a Revoked License 8) Violation of Light Law |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.
This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.
|
Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Suspect Identified and Charged in November 2016 Armed Robbery of Colonial Heights CVS Pharmacy | ||
| DATE: | March 15, 2017 | ||
| CASE #: | 16-024392 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On March 15, 2017, Kingsport Police Detectives brought a four month investigation into a November 2016 robbery of a Colonial Heights CVS Pharmacy to a successful culmination with the man responsible being positively identified and charged. A warrant has been obtained, charging Jeremy A. Ferguson with 1) Aggravated Robbery and 2) Theft over $10,000.
At the time of the incident, Kingsport Police released a surveillance photo and video footage of the previously unidentified suspect to the public with requests for information on his identity. Over the course of the investigation, Detectives were able to hone in on Mr. Ferguson, and through the use of a photo lineup and video surveillance comparison, positively identify him as the suspect in question. Mr. Ferguson was found to be currently incarcerated in the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville, TN on unrelated charges and will be served with the K.P.D. warrant while already in custody. He has also been charged in a separate robbery of another CVS Pharmacy, located in Carter County, TN. As previously released: On November 8, 2016 at approximately 7:45 PM, Officers from the Kingsport Police Department Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions responded to the CVS Pharmacy, located at 4106 Fort Henry Drive in the Colonial Heights area of Kingsport, in reference to an armed robbery. Their subsequent investigation revealed the following: A lone suspect entered the store and loitered around for a few moments until ultimately approaching the pharmacy counter. He brandished a firearm, which was described by witnesses as an “old gun” and appeared to be a black in color revolver. He demanded prescription narcotics and access to a safe. He filled a trash bag that he had brought with him with a significant quantity of medications and walked casually out of the store. The stolen medications had a value of over $10,000. The suspect was last seen running toward an access road at the rear of the business. A tracking attempt by a K.P.D. K-9 Unit proved unsuccessful. The suspect is believed to be a middle-aged white male adult. He appears to be approximately 6 feet tall and was described by witnesses as “scruffy looking.” He was wearing western style clothing consisting of blue jeans, a plaid shirt, a heavy brown or green overcoat, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. He was also reportedly wearing black thin-framed eyeglasses. He absolutely should be considered armed and dangerous. A photo of the suspect taken from store surveillance video has been included in this release. A clip of the actual video footage has been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the link below: Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111. Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link: https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us |
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| SUSPECT INFORMATION | |
| Name | Jeremy A. Ferguson |
| Age | Date of Birth 5/11/1994
22 Years of Age |
| Gender/Race | Male/Black |
| Residency | 225 Hamilton Way
Kingsport, TN |
| Charge(s) | 1) Aggravated Robbery
2) Theft over $10,000 3) Also currently in custody in Sullivan County Jail on unrelated Sullivan County, TN and Carter County, TN charges |
| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Interstate 81 Back Open in Kingsport | ||
| DATE: | March 15, 2017 | ||
| CASE #: | 17-005968 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, effective as of approximately 12:15 PM, Interstate 81 in Kingsport is back open with normal traffic patterns resuming. The tractor trailer rollover and subsequent fire that spurred the extensive I-81 closure remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.
As previously released: On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 as of 2:30 AM, the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Kingsport have been completely shut down. This closure comes as a result of an overturned tractor trailer that was initially fully involved in flames. No injuries were reported. Both the Kingsport Police and Fire Departments are on scene. The actual incident is at mile marker 59; however, I-81 has been closed at mile marker 57 at the I-26 interchange. Complete or partial lane closures will likely remain in effect for the remainder of the night to allow for the fire to be extinguished, as well as the safe investigation of the incident and cleanup of the scene. Motorists already in the immediate area are asked to exercise caution and patience and obey all traffic instructions. All other motorists are encouraged to make themselves aware of this incident and plan an alternate route so as to avoid the area altogether and prevent any unnecessary traffic congestion and delays. |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | Tuesday Afternoon Seatbelt Checkpoint Nets Multiple Offenders on Numerous Charges | ||
| DATE: | March 15, 2017 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| A Tuesday afternoon seatbelt checkpoint netted multiple offenders on numerous charges and might potentially have saved a few lives in the process. On March 14, 2017, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Officers of the Kingsport Police Department conducted a Seatbelt Compliance Checkpoint on Gibson Mill Road at the intersection with Windsor Street in Kingsport.
This three-hour effort resulted in the issuance of nearly 50 municipal citations, 44 of which were for Violation of Seatbelt Law. In addition to the city citations, several offenders were charged with violations of Tennessee State Law. 4 individuals were charged with Driving on a Revoked, Suspended, or Canceled License, 3 individuals were charged with Violation of the Financial Responsibility Law (no insurance), and 2 individuals were charged through State court for Seatbelt Violations. One individual was arrested when Officers learned that another agency held an outstanding warrant for her arrest. One vehicle was seized in accordance with state law, as the driver with a history of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) was Driving on a Revoked License. Another 2 vehicles were towed in compliance with a new K.P.D. policy authorizing Officers to tow uninsured vehicles. According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) the Tennessee statewide seatbelt usage rate for 2016 was 88.95%, which was a noticeable improvement over the 2015 usage rate of 86.23%. In an ideal world, all motorists would wear their seatbelt 100 percent of the time; however, the Kingsport Police Department would view any significant increase in usage to be a success. To achieve this goal, the Kingsport Police Department is stepping up seatbelt education and enforcement efforts. In the State of Tennessee, a violation of the seatbelt law is considered a primary offense, meaning that if an officer observes a motorist not wearing a seatbelt, the officer may stop and cite the motorist for the seatbelt violation without observing any other offenses. Wearing a seatbelt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus literally walking away from the crash with minor injuries or completely unscathed. The Kingsport Police Department encourages ALL occupants of ALL motor vehicles to wear their seatbelt ALL of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save a life. |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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Kingsport Police Department
200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) |
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| NEWS RELEASE | |||
| SUBJECT: | New K.P.D. Policy Ups the Ante for Motorists Who Continue to Violate State Law by Driving Uninsured Vehicles | ||
| DATE: | March 15, 2017 | ||
| GENERAL NARRATIVE | |||
| The Kingsport Police Department has a new policy in effect in hopes of deterring those who continue to violate state law by driving uninsured vehicles. This policy, in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 55-12-139, authorizes Kingsport Police Officers to tow vehicles on the spot for violations of the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law.
The intent of this policy is to deter drivers from driving uninsured vehicles in the City of Kingsport and encourage compliance with Tennessee State Law. This policy also equips K.P.D. Officers with an extremely useful tool to at least temporarily take away the opportunity for the offense to continue by promptly removing the vehicle in violation from the road. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), an independent nonprofit research organization supported by leading property and casualty insurance companies, 12.6% of motorists nationwide, or approximately 1 in 8 drivers, are uninsured. IRC research indicated that the number of uninsured motorists in the State of Tennessee is 20.1%, or roughly 1 in 5 drivers, which is significantly higher than the national average. The Tennessee State Financial Responsibility Law (TCA 55-12-139) requires all motorists to provide “evidence of financial responsibility” (proof of insurance) upon request from a law enforcement officer when the driver of a vehicle is stopped for a traffic offense or the vehicle in question is involved in a collision. A basic violation of the Financial Responsibility Law is a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $300. If a driver in violation of the Financial Responsibility Law misrepresents having insurance that they know to be invalid, the offense is increased to a Class A Misdemeanor. The Class A Misdemeanor enhancement is also applicable whenever the uninsured motorist is the individual at fault in a motor vehicle collision that results in bodily injury or death of another person. A Class A Misdemeanor is an arrestable offense, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and significantly higher fines and court costs. |
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| RELEASING OFFICER | ||
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Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit |
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