Update on Quality Inn and Suites Incident

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

Update:

Abingdon Police have arrested Jerrod Randle Garrison, 35, of 134 Elkins Road Rogersville, TN 37587 and charged him with the following:

·        § 54.1-3466. Possession or distribution of controlled paraphernalia;

·        § 18.2-250. Possession of controlled substance

·        § 18.2-96. Petit larceny

·        § 18.2-460. Obstructing justice

·        § 18.2-308.2. Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons (2 Counts)

·        § 18.2-308. Carrying concealed weapons (2 Counts).

These charges stem from an earlier incident where officers were called to the Quality Inn and Suites located at 930 East Main Street.  Upon arrival, officers were advised by staff that there were guests stealing linens in two rooms.  An officer went to one of the rooms and encountered Garrison and advised him of the reason he was there.  The officer asked Garrison for identification; but Garrison indicated his identification was in his car.  Garrison and the officer went to the Garrison vehicle, but Garrison was unable to produce any form of ID.  While at the car, the officer observed a magazine pouch for a weapon in the floor.  The officer inquired if Garrison had a weapon to which he responded, “no.”  As Garrison continued to search for his ID, one of the hotel clerks told the officer that Garrison had some of their linens in his vehicle.  Upon further investigation, the officer observed drug paraphernalia in the car.  Garrison then fled on foot, running back in to the hotel and out the back door.  Garrison was pursued by the officer, and a hotel employee, who was able to aid the officer in subduing Garrison.  Once handcuffed, the officer discovered that Garrison had a 9mm handgun in his front pants pocket. 

While escorting Garrison to a waiting patrol car, hotel staff alerted the officer that three other guests, who were with Garrison, were rapidly exiting the hotel.  Unable to leave the handcuffed Garrison, the officer called for additional officers to respond. 

It was later learned that the three other guests left the hotel in a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse.  A search warrant was later executed on the hotel room, leading to the recovery of a large amount of drug paraphernalia.

Garrison is being held in the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail with no bond.  

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