Middlesboro Man Arrested For What Police Say Was Obstruction of His Father's Arrest

From WRIL The Big One -

Andrew Hamlett - BCDC

Late Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2026, Middlesboro Police were serving what they called "a high-risk" search warrant on an individual identified as Jay Hamlett at an Exeter Avenue address near South 35th Street.

Middlesboro Police report that Hamlett was wanted in connection with an incident on Tuesday night, August 18th, that put the safety of three officers in jeopardy. He is facing three counts of wanton endangerment - 1st degree for the actions.

Officer Morgan Justice states in the citation that a perimeter had been established around the home and that officers had attempted to contact Hamlett multiple times. Still, he refused to come to the door, barricading himself inside.

The officers were about to execute the search warrant when Jay Hamlett's 37-year-old son, Andrew Hamlett, pulled into the secured area with his truck, which pulled officers attention away from the residence.

Police say that Andrew was told to leave the area, and he started asking questions about their presence and why they were armed. At one point, Andrew Hamlett made the statement to officers that: "you all are going to kill my dad.

Multiple "loud and clear" commands by police were given to Andrew to leave the area. He then backed his truck out of the yard, pulling across the road into the Shiloh Church parking lot where he started to get out of the vehicle. Police say this caused them to again divert their attention away from the scene due to Andrew's "unknown intentions."

Officer Justice and Sgt. Jake Quillen ordered Andrew Hamlett out of the truck and onto the ground, which he questioned, and was told to place his hands behind his back to be placed in handcuffs. The citation adds that Andrew began yelling at other officers around the perimeter, "causing alarm to neighbors that were outdoors, as well as drawing more attention away from the home officers had surrounded."

Andrew Hamlett was charged with obstructing governmental operations and disorderly conduct - 2nd degree.

Shortly afterward, officers breached the home's door to retrieve Jay Hamlett. During the operation, the department's K-9 was deployed, and Hamlett suffered injuries that caused him to be flown out by Air Evac after being stabilized by Middlesboro EMS personnel.'

Andrew Hamlett has since been released from the Bell County Detention Center on an OR bond.