Officers with the Athens Police Department responded last week to a residence on Sweetfield Valley Road “in reference to a subject with a firearm threatening to harm people at the residence,” according to a press release by the department.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with a female who had locked herself in a bathroom. The female used hand signals to communicate with the officers who were still outside, according to the press release. Other officers were able to contact a male subject later identified as Jasen Anthony Walk, 18, in the living room area of the residence. Walk was given commands to show his hands and unlock the door. Walk initially refused but eventually complied with the commands. Walk was then taken into custody, the press release notes.
An investigation was initiated by members of the Detective and Drug Units and generated probable cause for the following charges against Walk, according to the press release:
- Especially Aggravated Kidnapping
- Possession of Schedule 6 for Resale
- Possessing a Firearm during the Commission or Attempt to Commit a Dangerous Felony
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Aggravated Assault by Domestic Violence
Officers also seized the following items as a result of the investigation, the press release notes:
- Suspected Marijuana totaling 6.7 lbs
- THC Vapes totaling 266 vapes
- 266 packs of THC edibles
- Various Drug Paraphernalia
- $5,070.00 in cash
- 6 firearms which included: AR 15s, Uzi and Glock Pistols, Several assorted rounds of ammunition, and a Bullet Proof Vest
“I would like to commend the efforts of our officers for their initial response, follow-up investigation, and leadership which brought this incident to a swift and safe resolution,” Interim Police Chief Fred Schultz said in a statement.
The investigation is continuing in cooperation with the 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, according to the press release.
Walk is currently being held at the McMinn County Jail. His bond is set at $87,000.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
