D

Multiple arrests and drug-related charges resulted as officers from the Newport Police Department (NPD) cleared a homeless camp on property belonging to Newport Utilities (NU) on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

NPD Police Chief Scott Lamb told The Plain Talk the NU property, located east of the railroad tracks close to Fairview Street, had been the subject of several complaints about unauthorized camping. Lamb said one day prior to arrests being made individuals had been warned by officers to vacate but when checking the property again on Tuesday they had refused to move.

According to the NPD incident report, syringes and drug paraphernalia were found as well as evidence of a wood burning campfire.

“We at the Newport Police Department are dedicated to ensuring the safety of the public as well as the safety of citizens’ property,” Lamb said.

Lamb said he encourages anyone having trouble with the unauthorized use of their personal property or knows of the unlawful use of public property to contact the Newport Police Department. The non-emergency number is (423) 623-5556.

Four arrests were made in clearing the encampment on Tuesday.

Tommy Dodson, 56, was charged with unlawful drug paraphernalia and violation of access to public property Act of 2012 — protection of state property (camping on public property). According to the report, Dodson was found at his tent with a dog inside and a mattress. A campfire had been built in the middle of the encampment. Dodson was found to have a black case in his pocket that contained three used syringes, multiple baggies with a “dust like substance” and a burnt spoon with tinfoil. Dodson was transported to the Cocke County Jail. The dog was recovered by animal control. Dodson’s bond was set at $3,000 according to the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office.

Bobby Adkison, 53, was arrested and charged with violation of equal access to public property — protection of state property Act of 2012 (camping on public property). Adkison was transported to the Cocke County Jail. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office advised Adkison’s bond was set at $1,000 on the above charge, however, it was found he also had a violation of probation with no bond.

Cassandra Ledford, 42, was charged with unlawful drug paraphernalia and violation of equal access to public property — protection of state property Act of 2012 (camping on public property). According to the report, when Ledford asked for her ID to be retrieved out of her backpack, a black case was found inside the backpack that contained needles and a glass pipe. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office advised her bond was set at $3,000.

Bobby Williamson, 45, was arrested after being previously told to vacate the property. He was charged with being in violation of equal access to public property Act of 2012 — Protection of State Property (camping on public property). The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office advised his bond was set at $1,000.

According to the incident report, four NPD officers took part in the operation: Sgt. Jessy Burgess, Capt. Derek White, Officer Justin Shelton and Officer Hunter Strom.