From WRIL -
Sunday night December 22, 2019 Middlesboro Dispatch advised a caller stated a man was at 30th street and Exeter Avenue in the middle of the road screaming and waiving a gun around appearing to be under the influence.
Responding to the scene was Middlesboro Officer Chris Barnes who states in a citation that when he arrived on scene he made contact with the individual identified as 30 year old Tony Jackson of Middlesboro.
The officer states that Jackson was standing in the middle road talking to himself throwing his hands up and down in the air. Due to the nature of the call, even though Barnes did not initially see a gun in Jackson's hand, he approached with his weapon out as a precaution. Jackson was then told to get on the ground.
As Officer Barnes got closer to Jackson, he states that he did see a pistol hanging out of his right pants pocket. After detaining him and running Jackson's his name through dispatch, they advised he was a convicted felon. Upon further search, Barnes states he removed the loaded .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol and also full box of shells in Jackson's other pocket.
Tony Jackson was lodged in the Bell County Detention Center charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and public intoxication - controlled substance (excluding alcohol.)
He is being held on a $1,000 cash bond.
Also assisting on scene was Officer Jeremiah Johnson.