You are here: / / Police Blog

KPD e-News Release Temporary Closure of Kingsport Justice Center

SUBJECT:  Temporary Closure of Kingsport Justice Center

DATE:  March 20th, 2025  

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Due to ongoing renovations at the Justice Center located at 200 Shelby St., the lobby of the building will be closed to the public beginning Friday, March 21st at 6:00 AM.  No pedestrian foot traffic will be allowed to access the lobby.  The lobby is expected to reopen for normal operations on March 31st.  During this period, the Kingsport Police Department Record’s Division will not be able to take in person payments for citations.  These may be paid online at www.KingsportTN.gov by selecting the option “pay online” on the main webpage.  All Kingsport Municipal Court cases scheduled during this time have been reset.  Those with appearances scheduled during this time should have received notice of their new court date either by letter or telephone call.  Those with appearances set in General Sessions Court/Juvenile Court should have received instructions on how to proceed with their appearance from that specific court.  Kingsport City Police Reports will be available to be sent by email during this time by calling the Records Division at (423) 229-9427.  Citizens are also reminded that Crash Reports completed by the Kingsport Police Department will also be available at crashdocs.org after seven to ten days.  

RELEASING OFFICER

Lieutenant Justin McConnell

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749 

JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Arrests Man For Indecent Exposure

SUBJECT:  KPD Arrests Man For Indecent Exposure 

DATE:  March 15th, 2025

CASE #: 25-003327

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On March 12, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, Kingsport Police Officers responded to the 2600 block of East Stone Drive in reference to a report of an indecent exposure. Arriving officers learned that a male had exposed his genitals to a woman and her child while they were shopping at the Dollar Tree store and then left in a black pickup truck headed toward Target. The male was located and identified as fifty-six (56) year-old Clark Ratliff. While speaking to Mr. Ratliff, it was determined that a different woman and child had also been victimized by Mr. Ratliff’s actions while they were shopping at Target.

Officers continued their investigation and corroborated witness statements regarding the nature of the incident. An arrest warrant was obtained charging Mr. Ratliff with two (2) counts of Indecent Exposure. He was arrested and transported to the Kingsport City Jail.

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name Clark Ratliff

Age 56

Gender/Race Male/White 

Residency Kingsport TN 

Charges Indecent Exposure x2

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Detectives Investigating Discovery of Adult Human Remains

SUBJECT: Kingsport Detectives Investigating Discovery of Human Remains  

DATE: March 13th, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On March 13th, 2025 at approximately 5:00 PM, Kingsport Police Department Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to the 3700 block of East Stone Drive in Kingsport in reference to the discovery of human remains, believed to be that of an adult male, which were found in a wooded area.

 

The on-site investigation is ongoing, with assistance from Forensic Examiners with the East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine. No further details are currently available for release, as this is an active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available, but only at an appropriate point in the investigation.

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD e-News Release: Investigation of Theft Leads to Felony Charges

SUBJECT:  Investigation of Theft Leads to Felony Charges 

DATE:  March 12th, 2025

CASE #: 23-019105

GENERAL NARRATIVE

In September of 2023, Kingsport Police Department Detectives began investigating allegations of theft from a local non-profit youth organization, Central Cougar Youth Athletics. The organization alleged that Kristen Houser had been given funds to purchase cheerleading uniforms for use by youth in their program. Mrs. Houser was alleged to have taken the funds and used them for her benefit.

 

Detectives assigned to the case served multiple subpoenas, conducted at least a dozen interviews, and reviewed the financial transactions of all parties involved before submitting their findings to the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office in Blountville. In February 2025, the findings of the investigation were presented to the grand jury, and a true bill was returned. Kristen was charged with one (1) count of Theft of Property (Over $10,000) and one (1) count of Criminal Simulation.

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name Kristen Houser

Age 39

Gender/Race Female/White 

Residency Bristol, TN 

Charges Theft of Property (Over $10,000) and Criminal Simulation

 

 

VICTIM INFORMATION

Name Central Cougar Youth Athletics 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD e-News Release (Update: Found Safe)

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching For Runaway Juvenile (Update: Found Safe)

 

DATE:  March 11th, 2025 

CASE #: 25-003144

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Update: Mykaila Gray has been found safe and is no longer missing.  The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the public for your assistance.

 

As previously released:

 

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 17-year-old, Mykaila Gray. Mykaila is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on New Beason Well Road. Mykaila is a white female, last seen wearing dark blue leggings with red and black plaid pajama pants over them. She was also wearing pink crocs, a black and white Nike pullover/sweatshirt and a dark blue ETSU hooded sweatshirt. Mykaila has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

 

Anyone with information on Mykaila’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

RUNAWAY JUVENILE INFORMATION

Name Mykaila Gray 

Age 17

Gender/Race Female/White

Hair/Eyes Brown/Blue 

Height/Weight 5’4″/145lbs

Residency Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing Dark blue leggings, red and black plaid pajama pants, pink crocs, black and white Nike pullover, dark blue ETSU hooded sweatshirt

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road, Kingsport, TN

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD e-News Release: KPD Searching For Runaway Juvenile

SUBJECT:  KPD Searching For Runaway Juvenile

DATE:  March 10, 2025 

CASE #: 25-003144

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is searching for 17-year-old, Mykaila Gray. Mykaila is believed to have left voluntarily from an address on New Beason Well Road. Mykaila is a white female, last seen wearing dark blue leggings with red and black plaid pajama pants over them. She was also wearing pink crocs, a black and white Nike pullover/sweatshirt and a dark blue ETSU hooded sweatshirt. Mykaila has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway Juvenile.

 

Anyone with information on Mykaila’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

 

Alternatively, if an individual who can provide information to this or any 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

 

RUNAWAY JUVENILE INFORMATION

Name Mykaila Gray 

Age 17

Gender/Race Female/White

Hair/Eyes Brown/Blue 

Height/Weight 5’4″/145lbs

Residency Kingsport TN 

Possible Clothing Dark blue leggings, red and black plaid pajama pants, pink crocs, black and white Nike pullover, dark blue ETSU hooded sweatshirt

Last Known Location New Beason Well Road, Kingsport, TN

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police To Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint

SUBJECT:  Kingsport Police To Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint 

DATE:  March 7th, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

 

 

 

In the ongoing effort to reduce the dangerous problem of Driving Under the Influence and resulting crashes, injuries, and deaths, the Kingsport Police Department will conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint on Friday, March 21st, 2025. This Checkpoint will be held at an undisclosed time within the Lynn Garden Community of Kingsport.

 

Beyond the risk of serious injury or death associated with impaired driving, being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can impact your life in many ways, including loss of current employment, prevention of future employment in certain jobs, higher insurance rates, serious financial setbacks, personal and family embarrassment, and incarceration.

 

The Kingsport Police Department continues to emphasize to citizens that Tennessee D.U.I. laws apply not just to drinking alcohol, but to ingesting any substance that impairs the driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, including illegal drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as prescription drugs, even if they are prescribed by a physician.

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Department Now Hiring Corrections Officers

SUBJECT:  Kingsport Police Department Now Hiring Corrections Officers

DATE:  March 3rd, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is now taking applications for Corrections Officers. Starting pay with no experience is $18.80 an hour. New hires will also receive 40 vacation hours at initial hiring and earn 80 hours throughout the first year. Employees will be enrolled in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and be eligible to receive a comprehensive health insurance package that includes dental and eye insurance. Applicants must be 18 or older and pass a pre-employment background check. Individuals interested in the position can go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingsport and click on the Corrections Officer link to apply and view the full benefits offered by the City of Kingsport.

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Central Dispatch Now Hiring

SUBJECT:  Kingsport Central Dispatch Now Hiring 

DATE:  February 28th, 2025 

GENERAL NARRATIVE

The Kingsport Police Department is now taking applications for Emergency Dispatchers. Starting pay with no experience is $18.80 an hour. New hires will also receive 40 vacation hours at initial hiring and earn 80 hours throughout the first year. Employees will be enrolled in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System and be eligible to receive a comprehensive health insurance package that includes dental and eye insurance. Applicants must be 18 or older and pass a pre-employment background check. Individuals interested in the position can go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingsport and click on the Emergency Dispatch Specialist link to apply and view the full benefits offered by the City of Kingsport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Arnold

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonArnold@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release Defensive Driving School for Thursday 2/20/2025 CANCELED

SUBJECT: Defensive Driving School for Thursday 2/20/2025 CANCELED 

DATE:  February 20th, 2025

GENERAL NARRATIVE

Due to inclement weather, defensive driving school scheduled for tonight (2/20/2025) at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education (300 W. Market St.) has been canceled.  Those individuals that received defensive driving school through Kingsport City Court and were scheduled to attend tonight’s class will need to contact the Kingsport Police Records Division at (423) 229-9427 to obtain a new date to attend this class. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Lieutenant Justin McConnell

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9499, Fax (423) 343-9749 

JustinMcConnell@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

 

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee