City, county officers work together to detain fleeing Harriman man

A man from Harriman who reportedly fled from officers now faces a list of charges including two counts of evading arrest.

On Wednesday Aug. 28, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Officer Garrett Butler with the Lenoir City Police Department responded to a call regarding a reckless driver on U.S. Highway 321 near Fog Hill Lane.

The complainant stated the vehicle being driven was a 2016 red Dodge Dart and it was swerving in and out of oncoming traffic and the shoulder of the roadway. Officer Butler made contact with the described vehicle in the area of Cut Thru Road traveling southbound coming into the city and noticed a male in the driver’s seat wearing sunglasses and a neon-colored shirt or vest.

As Officer Butler got behind the vehicle to observe it, he immediately watched the vehicle cross over the fog line numerous times and then proceed to drive over the fog line for an extended period of time.

After observing the above traffic violation, Officer Butler activated his emergency equipment to attempt to conduct a traffic stop.

The vehicle, which was later identified as being driven by 27-year-old Brett Austin Butler of Harriman Tennessee per the Loudon County Sheriff ’s Office, then proceeded onto the I-75 Southbound on-ramp, and “intentionally fled” by continuing on I-75 Southbound after Officer Butler activated his emergency equipment to alert Brett Austin Butler that he was knowingly being stopped by a law enforcement officer.

After the vehicle fled from the attempted traffic stop and continued onto the interstate, Officer Butler then turned off his emergency equipment and advised dispatch that he wasn’t pursuing the vehicle.

While in the area of the on-ramps, Deputy Dakota Ezell with the Loudon County Sheriff ’s Office observed a vehicle matching that description traveling on 175 South. After catching up to the vehicle, Ezell observed the vehicle pass a semi-truck on the shoulder and it was at this point in time he activated his emergency equipment and attempted to stop the vehicle … however, the vehicle failed to stop.

Ezell then pursued the vehicle from approximately the 74-mile marker to the 72-mile marker, when the vehicle made an abrupt turn and exited onto the off-ramp. The vehicle then made a left turn on Highway 72 towards Highway 11 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and wrecked.

Ezell then observed a male later identified as Butler exit the driver’s seat and begin fleeing on foot.

After a short foot pursuit by Ezell, he and Deputy Harrison were able to place Butler into custody without incident.

Two female passengers were also located inside the vehicle.

Both females were transported to the Fort Loudon Medical Center where their statements were collected.

While on scene, it was learned that Butler had multiple warrants out of Knox County and Anderson County it was also learned that Butler was driving with a suspended driver’s license. Butler was then cleared by emergency medical personnel and transported to the Loudon County Detention Facility without incident.

Butler was charged with driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving on suspended license, two counts of evading arrest, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, theft of property- conduct involving merchandise and was held on $27,000 bond.

AUG. 26

. Jodi Lea Branum, 37, Lenoir City, was charged with burglary, capias-general sessions, public intoxication, theft of property-conduct involving merchandise and held on $14,000 bond.

. Heath Tyler Cadle, 28, Lenoir City, was charged with domestic assault and $1500 bond.

. Dusty Allen Clark, 37, Homeless, was charged with public intoxication, theft of property-conduct involving merchandise and held on $2000 bond.

. Tonia Denise Johnson, 50, Philadelphia, was charged with simple possession/casual exchange and released on $2000 bond.

. Joshua Bradley Kellar, 35, Homeless, was charged with theft of property and held without bond.

. Patricia Annette Smith, 54, Sweetwater, was charged with theft of property-conduct involving merchandise and held on $2000

bond.

. Brandi Michele Stewart, 43, Cookeville, was charged with custodial interference and released on $2000 bond.

AUG. 27

. Dustin Dean Campbell, 39, Niota, was charged with capias-general sessions and released on $1000 bond.

. Ramona Michelle Chapman, 62, Loudon, was charged with aggravated criminal trespass, assault and held on $2000 bond.

. Justin Lee Hargis, 47, Loudon, was charged with capias-general sessions and released on $36,000 bond.

. Connie Marie Holloway, 52, Knoxville, was charged with violation of probation and held without bond.

. Paul Marks, 53, Gainsville, Ga., was charged with driving under the influence, due care, violation of implied consent and released on $4000 bond.

. Justin Grady Marsh, 48, Madisonville, was charged with convicted serving time and held without bond.

. Steven Ray Norton, 51, Lenoir City, was charged with assisting other agency and held without bond.

. Justin Dewayne Sifontes, 32, Parrotsville, was charged with assisting other agency and held without bond.

. Thomas Cody Tatham, 31, Knoxville, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and held without

bond.

. Stephen Michael Turan, 29, Webster, Fla., was charged with driving on suspended license; man., sell., del., resale, schedule VI; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a firearm during a dangerous situation and held on $36,000 bond.

AUG. 28

. Brett Austin Butler, 27, was charged with driving on roadways laned for traffic, driving on suspended license, two counts of evading arrest, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, theft of property-conduct involving merchandise and held on $27,000 bond.

. Kenneth Justin Collins, 40, Lenoir City, was charged with capias-general sessions, capias-general sessions, contempt of court and released without bond.

. Clare Marie Ferguson, 41, Loudon, was charged with theft of property and released on $1500 bond.

. Kenneth Dewayne Reeves, 45, Thomasville, Ga., was charged with theft of property-conduct involving merchandise and released without bond.

. Charles Thomas Reninger, 54, Philadelphia, was charged with capias-general sessions and held on $3000 bond.

. Ryan Kevin St. Pierre, 50, Loudon, was charged with capias-municipal court, capias-general sessions and released on $3000 bond.

. Brittney Carolyn Van Der Veen, 31, Lenoir City, was charged with arrest warrant-assist other agency and released without bond.

. Kara Ashely Weeks, 38, Lenoir City, was charged with capias-municipal court, capias-criminal court and held on $32,000 bond.

AUG. 29

. Shannon Rena Beeler, 44, Clinton, was charged with capias-municipal court and released without bond.

. Billy Ray Berry, 34, Sweetwater, was charged with violation of probation and held without bond.

. Joshua Matthew Mee, 38, Rockwood, was charged with three counts of theft of property- conduct involving merchandise and held on $5000 bond.

. Marty Allen Mills, 42, Lenoir City, was charged with criminal trespassing and held without bond.

. Bobby Gene Walker, 44, Lenoir City, was charged with domestic assault and held without bond.

. Travis Brian Williams, 45, Loudon, was charged with disorderly conduct and held without bond.