McKenzie Police Reports

Resisting Arrest — On May 28 at approximately 1:12 p.m., arresting officer Lt. Justin Brister responded to TN Highway 79 to the southern city limits of McKenzie in regards to a black Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that had evaded Gibson County Sheriff’s Office last seen on Highway 79 driving towards McKenzie. While en route to Highway 79, Lt. Brister was advised that Carroll County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies had spotted the vehicle passing in a no passing zone between Trezevant and McKenzie on Highway 79 still traveling towards McKenzie. While other McKenzie officers were directed to prepare to hold traffic at the intersections on Highland Drive, Lt. Brister arrived on Highway 79 off of Hamilton Street and continued traveling towards Trezevant to assist deputies and give accurate location information to officers trying to safely hold traffic at the upcoming intersections in the city. Lt. Brister observed the fleeing SUV exiting Trezevant bottom on Highway 79 as it swerved around a set of spike strips deployed by Inv. Sawyers with CCSO. Lt. Brister turned around and initiated emergency lights and sirens, joining CCSO deputies in pursuit of the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as Christopher Allen Freeman, of Paris was traveling in excess of 100 m.p.h. during the pursuit. Sgt. Beauchamp deployed his spike strip near The Waters of McKenzie as the vehicle entered McKenzie’s Southern city limits on Highway 79. Freeman swerved into the middle turning lane to avoid the spike strip at approximately 90 m.p.h. as he almost lost control of the SUV. Freeman began slowing down near Gaylon Melton’s Auto Shop on Highland Drive as he drove through the parking lot of the automotive shop, the parking lot of Verizon and slowly rolled to a stop in the Servall parking lot on Highland Drive. Freeman exited the driver’s side door of the vehicle and began walking towards Lt. Brister’s patrol vehicle. Lt. Brister drew his service pistol from its holster and began shouting at Freeman to show his hands and get down on the ground. Freeman did not get on the ground and was forcefully taken to the ground by CCSO Deputy Davis. Lt. Brister and Deputy Davis were attempting to handcuff Freeman on the ground as Freeman continued to resist commands. At one point during the struggle, Freeman attempted to roll from his stomach to his back to face officers. As Freeman was doing so, Lt. Brister noticed Freeman clinch his hands into fists while he began to face officers. Fearing that Freeman was about to strike him or another officer on top of Freeman, Lt. Brister struck Freeman in the face with a closed fist.

Eventually, Freeman was placed into handcuffs and continued to resist being searched and officers had to forcefully place Freeman into a patrol unit. CCSO towed Freeman’s vehicle and transported Freeman to Carroll County Jail as they also charged Freeman with Evading and other charges. Lt. Brister charged Freeman with resisting arrest after being the primary officer that was involved in the initial struggle with Freeman and using closed hand force to subdue the suspect. Freeman’s bond for resisting arrest was set at $15,000 by Judge King. This incident occurred within the city limits of McKenzie in Carroll County, Tennessee.

Driving Under the Influence — On May 29 at about 12:04 p.m., Sgt. Austin Jones was dispatched to 15910 Highland Dr (McDonald’s) in reference to a vehicle that had run off the embankment between McDonald’s and China Lantern. The caller also advised that the driver stated he did not feel well.

Upon arrival Sgt. Jones observed a Silver Nissan Maxima facing southbound with the rear tires off the ground of the McDonald’s parking lot and the nose of the vehicle touching the China Lantern parking lot. There was a white male seated on the pavement and leaning backwards against the curb of the parking lot.

While EMS was assessing the patient Sgt. Jones did hear the male identified as Michael Steed, tell the Paramedic that he had drank “a lot” within the last hour. Sgt. Jones then was able to hear the paramedic ask Mr. Steed what he drank, was it liquor? Mr. Steed advised it was liquor. Mr. Steed was unable to advise the Paramedic what town Mr. Steed is in or what restaurant he was at. When the paramedics stood Mr. Steed up to walk him over to the gurney to be checked out Mr. Steed did appear unsteady on his feet. Mr. Steed’s speech was also slurred and ran together.

Once Mr. Steed had been placed into the back of the ambulance, D&D wrecker service was contacted to tow the vehicle. Upon an inventory search of the vehicle, a black backpack was found with a computer, notepads, a keyboard, two 200 ML bottles of gin, and a blue round container containing one white pill identified as Hydrocodone. One of the bottles of gin had less than an ounce of liquor left in it and the other had about a half ounce left in it.

At this time Sgt. Jones made the decision to read Mr. Steed the implied consent form in the back of the ambulance. When Sgt. Jones entered the back of the ambulance, he introduced himself and told Mr. Steed that given what he told EMS there was reason to believe he may be impaired. Mr. Steed responded by saying Well I know it’s not good if you’re here. Before reading Mr. Steed the form Sgt. Jones did asked him what his highest level of education was to ensure that Mr. Steed was able to comprehend things. Mr. Steed advised he had graduated high school early and completed college, this was also confirmed by a resume Mr. Steed had in the rear passenger seat of his vehicle. After reading Mr. Steed the implied consent form he asked what he should do to make it less difficult for him in court. Sgt. Jones advised Mr. Steed that he could not give legal counsel but he could only ask him if he would consent to a blood or breath test for a chemical sample. Mr. Steed then consented to a blood test for chemical testing. Mr. Steed advised numerous times that he was sorry.

Given that Mr. Steed was being transported to the Emergency Room, warrants were issued for his arrest. Mr. Steed had a bond of $5,000.

This incident did occur in McKenzie, Carroll County TN.

Manufacture Meth — On May 29, 2024, at or around 12:01 p.m., Ptlm Raspberry, along with Sgt. Inv. Beauchamp, arrived at 218 Park Circle in an attempt to serve an Active Arrest Warrant on Mrs. Yolanda N. Robinson of McKenzie, Mrs. Robinson did have an Arrest Warrant out of Carroll County for Selling Methamphetamine, with a $250,000 bond. Upon making contact with the residence, Mrs. Robinson did come out and speak with officers on the porch. Mrs. Robinson was taken into custody without further incident. She was transported to Carroll County Jail in Huntingdon, TN. This incident occurred inside the City Limits of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tennessee.

Driving on Suspended/Revoked License, Display of Registration Plates — On May 28, 2024, at or around 11:45 p.m. Ptlm. McClure initiated a traffic stop on a Black Lincoln Continental on Highland Dr / Clark St for no plate light and no TN plate. After approaching the vehicle, the driver later identified as Charles Johnson advised he did not have a valid TN drivers license. It later became known that Charles Johnson was Revoked / Suspended for failure to appear out of Cleveland city court with a suspension date from 11/20/2015 to indefinite reinstatement date of 00/00/0000. Dispatch advised that Mr. Charles Johnson had (2) warrants out of Weakley County: 1. Violation of Probation- Schedule VI & Driving on Revoked and Failure to Appear Warrant.

Charles Johnson was taken into custody for the (2) warrants out of Weakley County, TN. Ptlm. McClure also cited Mr. Johnson for: 1. Driving on Revoked / Suspended - Suspension date from 11/20/2015 to indefinite reinstatement date of 00/00/0000. 2. Display of plates Mr. Johnson was transported to a Weakley County Deputy to be booked into Weakley County Jail for the proper booking procedures. Charles was also given his cite and advised to book himself into Carroll County Jail for the proper booking procedure within 10 days. This incident did occur within the city limits of McKenzie, Carroll County, TN.

Theft — On May 30, 2024 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Ptlm Dillon, spoke with John Millsap and Mistee Millsap at McKenzie Police Department in reference to stolen property. J. Millsap advised that an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an Apple Watch series 8 with a broken screen were taken from him, along with an insurance card belonging to him. He stated that he believed the property was taken from his vehicle. J. Millsap advised the phone was worth approximately $200.00 and the watch was worth an approximate $150.00 for a total of $350.00 in stolen property. This incident did occur in the City of McKenzie TN.

Public Intoxication — On May 30, 2024, at or around 6:58 a.m., a call came into the McKenzie Police Department regarding a suspicious person in the area of 59 Walnut Circle. The person was described as a black male subject with a bag, wearing a white and blue jersey. The caller stated that the male subject was talking to himself. Ptlm Raspberry located the male subject behind 59 Walnut Circle sitting down wearing blue and white. This male subject was Mr. Maurice Lawrence of McKenzie. At the time of making contact Mr. Lawrence was repeatedly singing and humming incoherent words. Mr. Lawrence was believed to be under the influence of an illegal intoxicant and transported to Carroll County Jail for his safety. He was cited for Public Intoxication. Officers from the previous night shift advised at 6 a.m. shift change that they had spoke to Mr. Lawrence and had a full conversation with him. At that time he was talking like normal, however, at the time officers made contact with him behind 59 Walnut Circle, Mr. Lawrence was speaking incoherently. The entire ride to the jail and while at the booking desk, Mr. Lawrence was still repeating the same incoherent song lyrics. This incident occurred inside the City Limits of McKenzie, Carroll County, Tennessee.

Criminal Trespass — On May 31, 2024, at approximately 9:58 a.m., assistant chief Trey Boucher received a phone call stating that Maurice Lawrence of McKenzie, via TN-issued license, was seen in pockets by staff and video footage of the premises entering the store several times throughout the night. Officer Williams, along with Officer Batchelder, made contact with the manager of Pockets, Thomas Keenan. Keenan advised that he reviewed the camera footage from overnight. Keenan was able to provide six different times where Lawrence was spotted on the premises via security camera. Keenan provided Officer Williams with photographs and timestamps of the trespassing. Lawrence did get served a ban notice on 12/22/2013. Officer Williams charged Lawrence with six counts of criminal trespass. This incident did occur in the city limits of McKenzie, Carroll County TN.

Criminal Trespass — On May 31, 2024 around 07:52 p.m. Officer Davis made contact with Maurice Lawrence at Bram’s Place located at 529 West Magnolia Ave, across from Little General Gas Station. Officer Davis was made aware by day shift officers that Maurice Lawrence has 6 active warrants for criminal trespassing. Lawrence was placed under arrest for the warrants and transported to the Carroll County Jail for proper procedures. Once at the jail a corrections officer asked Officer Davis to assist in removing the hand cuffs and patting him down. Officer Davis had him place his hands on the wall as he attempted to pat him down. At this point he yelled f*** this and attempted to spin around towards the officer. When he spun around Officer Davis used softhand tactics and took him to the ground. A small cigar fell from his waist line. His shoes were removed and Officer Davis helped to place him in his cell. This incident did occur inside of the city limits of McKenzie in Carroll County, TN.

Driving on Suspended/Revoked License — On June 2, 2024, at or around 9:25 p.m., Ptlm. McClure observed a silver Toyota Camry traveling Southbound on Highland Dr with no passenger headlight. Ptlm. McClure initiated a traffic stop at Casey gas station at 16125 Highland Dr. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver later identified as Elizabeth Ann Minter of McKenzie advised her TN driver license was suspended. Ptlm. McClure verified the status of the TN driver license with dispatch, who advised the license was revoked for D.U.I. with a revocation date of 9/20/2023 to 9/20/2024 with a reinstatement date of 00/00/0000. Elizabeth Minter was taken into custody and transported to the Carroll County Jail for the proper booking procedure for the following: 1. Driving on Revoked - Bail was set at $500.00. 2. Light law - Cite.

This incident did occur in the city limits of McKenzie Carroll County, TN.