A Kingsport teen — who police say has been trying to "rule the streets" — was arrested Tuesday night after allegedly selling handguns to an undercover vice officer, while simultaneously orchestrating his cohorts to rob his client after the buy was completed.
Police report making multiple purchases of guns and drugs from Devin Gordon, 19, of 534 Dale St., and had planned to present their evidence to a future grand jury. But their hand was forced Tuesday night when three men attempted to rob the undercover officer, spurring police conducting surveillance to break their cover and give chase.
The incident occurred at 8:40 p.m. at 1223 Wateree St. KPD Det. Nathan Elliott reports an undercover officer was walking to his vehicle after buying two handguns from Gordon when approached by three individuals.
One of those suspects, later identified as Ronnie Hill, 18, of 228 Carver St., allegedly acted like he had a weapon. That prompted 10 officers working surveillance on the buy to come out of the woodwork.
Two robbery suspects were juveniles, with one apprehended at the scene. The other minor has been identified, while a warrant has been issued for Hill's arrest. All face charges of aggravated robbery.
Police also chased down and apprehended Gordon. While running he allegedly threw down a plastic bag containing crack cocaine, prompting his arrest on charges of possession of more than a half gram of cocaine for resale within 1,000 feet of school. Charges related to the sell of firearms will be handled by the ATF and presented to a grand jury at a later date. He was taken to Greeneville and is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.
Det. Elliott says the KPD had made two previous undercover buys from Gordon, purchasing three guns and marijuana, and believes there's "no doubt" he was working in concert with the robbery suspects. Gordon first came to the attention of vice officers following several reports of him allegedly assaulting and robbing people after drug deals, but the victims always refused to pursue charges.
Approximately four months ago detectives targeted Gordon for undercover buys and began building a case. Elliott says Gordon was "trying to rule the streets" in the areas around Sevier Avenue, Dale Street and Cloud Apartments, but police hadn't anticipated making an arrest until getting indictments from a grand jury.
As of Thursday evening police were continuing to search for Ronnie Hill in relation to the attempted robbery. Anyone with information on the whereabouts is asked call central dispatch at 246-9111 or the KPD vice unit at 229-9434.