Responding to a call of trespassing on Old Charleston Road, Bradley County Sheriff’s patrol deputies on Tuesday discovered components of a mobile meth lab in an automobile.

Keith Lee Johns

During a consent search deputies located a bottle that appeared to contain several known substances used in methamphetamine and a coffee filter with several grams of suspected meth. These items and other evidence will be sent to a state lab for proper identification.

Both occupants of the vehicle, Keith Lee Johns, age 31, of Phoenix, and Jennifer Cathleen Terry, age 24, of Maynardville Tennessee, were arrested on charges related to the promotion, manufacture and possession of methamphetamine.

Jennifer Cathleen Terry

Also responding were the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, the Meth Task Force, and the DEA Hazmat Response Truck to assist in the proper handling and disposal of the known hazardous chemicals and contaminated items.

Both suspects are in jail with bonds of $35,000.

An investigation that started with the execution of a search warrant in August 2008 on Wilson Avenue concluded in Federal court today when a jury found John Talley Johnson Jr. guilty of possessing cocaine and a felon in possession of a firearm.

Johnson, 34, was taken into custody shortly after the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed the search warrant causing two men to flee from another area of the house on foot. Johnson was caught a short distance away and at that time he was brought to the Bradley County jail. A search of his vehicle subsequent to arrest resulted in the confiscation of over 25 grams of crack cocaine and a loaded handgun.

Johnson, a convicted felon, was processed through Federal Court under the Project Safe Neighborhoods partnership between the BCSO, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Sheriff Tim Gobble commented on how important it is for all law enforcement agencies to work together to protect others and thanked all those providing assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

U.S. District Court Judge Harry S. "Sandy" Mattice has scheduled sentencing for August 30th.

John Talley Johnson Jr

Five teams of two persons each consisting of personnel from the BCSO and U.S. Marshall’s Service started Tuesday verifying offenders live at the address where they are registered and are abiding by any applicable restrictions regarding minor children living in the same home.

Approximately 72 of Bradley County’s registered offenders report to the BCSO. Those who live in the city register with the Cleveland Police Department and those on parole or probation register with those state agencies.

Registrations at the BCSO are assigned to a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division. CID Capt. Steve Lawson said, "The law is very precise, sex offenders must report when they are suppose to, provide us with accurate information, and between scheduled visits report any changes in their status in a timely manner."

The Tennessee Sex Offender Act requires offenders report changes in residence, employment, or enrollment in an educational facility within 48 hours. Offenders on registries in other states are required to register in Tennessee within 48 hours after they establish residence.

On Tuesday the teams visited 70 residences and were able to talk to 56 offenders. Fourteen were not home and two others are currently in custody. The compliance checks found seven that potentially are in violation of the act. After further investigation those matters will be taken to the Bradley County Grand Jury.

Sheriff Tim Gobble said, "The most important role of government is to protect and defend citizens, and children are our most defenseless citizens. The BCSO is making all reasonable efforts to ensure their safety through our efforts and partnerships with Federal agencies.

"We are also members of the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) program to identify and prosecute on-line sexual predators who seek to abuse our children."

The registry can be viewed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s website at www.tbi.tn.gov.

At approximately 6:45 Sunday night the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit along with other emergency services responded to a crash adjacent to exit 33 on I-75.

The investigation shows a Chevrolet SUV driven by John Wilkins, age 66, of Charleston, was attempting a left turn from Lauderdale Memorial Highway onto Frontage Road and pulled into the path of a Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Kim Ann Loveday, age 44, of Englewood.

Loveday was transported to SkyRidge Medical Center but died of her injuries.

Wilkins is a 29-year member of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Reserves and was not on duty when the accident occurred.

Charges are pending upon completion of the investigation.