A Kingsport man who allegedly threatened police with a screwdriver and insisted officers would have to shoot him has been indicted on two counts of aggravated assault and other charges.
A Sullivan County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Benny C. Fields, 33, 209 Darlington Drive, Kingsport, on two counts of aggravated assault and public intoxication, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
According to court records, police responding to a Jan. 26 report of a domestic assault in the area of Bloomingdale Road and Cedar Grove School encountered Fields, identified as the suspect, on Bloomingdale near the intersection of Forest View Road.
Police said Fields denied being involved in a disturbance on Darlington Drive and refused to give his name. Police said Fields appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
After reportedly admitting he was coming from Darlington Drive, Fields allegedly told the officer he was “going to have to shoot” him and withdrew a red screwdriver from his coat pocket. He allegedly pointed the screwdriver at first one officer then another, repeatedly telling them to shoot him.
Fields reportedly eventually dropped the screwdriver but continued to resist arrest, refusing to obey commands to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back. Police report using the least amount of force necessary to arrest him.
Sullivan County EMS was subsequently called to the scene because Fields complained of difficulty breathing. He was transported to Indian Path Medical Center, then transferred to Johnson City Medical Center for further treatment.
Others indicted Tuesday and their charges include:
• Jerry Aaron Gregg, 23, 3512 Forest View Road, Lot 9, Kingsport, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and evading arrest.
• Charles David Richardson, 27, 700 W. Carters Valley Road, Kingsport, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and vandalism $1,000 or more.
• Derrick Lamar Lewis, 33, 1002 Maple St. Kingsport, and Mark A. Harold, 37, 3816 Claudis Road, Apt. 261, Kingsport, theft over $1,000.
• Chester Junior Chaffin Jr., 54, Route 4, Bluff City, aggravated assault.
• Robert Wayne Shanks, 39, 603 Gravely Road, Kingsport, child abuse.
• Lopel Griffin, 21, 1537 Garden Drive, Kingsport, aggravated assault and domestic assault.
• Thomas Wayne Meadows, 36, 115 Ramsey Private Drive, Blountville, assault.
• Benny O. Rush, 39, 391 Sand Bar Road, Bristol, Tenn., promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, initiation of process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of over 1/2-gram of methamphetamine for delivery or sale, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of order of protection.
• Tesla Jade Robinson, 19, 326 Historic Hills Road, Kingsport, possession of drug paraphernalia and promotion of methamphetamine production.
• Ernest E. Brewer, 32, 2676 Timbers Edge Trace, Kingsport, domestic assault, assault, possession of drug paraphernalia (two counts) and resisting arrest.
• Willie D. Johnson, 43, 1233 Riverside Ave., Kingsport, aggravated burglary and aggravated criminal trespass.
• Sabra L. Kerznar, 42, 3309 Ketron Drive, Kingsport, evading arrest.
• Jamie Randall Burton, 35, 129 Lark St., Bristol, Tenn., reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.
• Benjamin Brad Roberts, 32, 211 Pink Dogwood Circle, Bristol, Tenn., identity theft.
• Shane Stallard, 32, 1207 Camelia Ave., Kingsport, aggravated burglary, theft $1,000 or more, aggravated burglary and theft $1,000 or more.