Wanted Felon Apprehended

By Jessie Williams

A 30-year-old wanted felon was apprehended by Macon County law enforcement last week.

According to Macon County Sheriff’s Department Detective Kevin Woodard, he was contacted by an ATF agent about an individual who had information on the whereabouts of John A. Bates. 

Bates, who was an inmate at the Macon County Jail, fled from a court-ordered rehab facility after just a few days in the program.

Since he was supposed to return to jail following rehab, and didn’t, Bates was considered an escapee and a warrant was put out for his arrest.

The information received by the informant led local enforcement to believe Bates was leaving a location on Bradley Hollow Rd., heading in the direction of Red Boiling Springs. 

Detective Woodard, along with Detective Jacob McClard and other deputies, saturated the area.

Deputy Josh Meador observed a vehicle on Highway 52 and identified Bates inside the vehicle jumping into the backseat to hide.

Officers attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop and surround the vehicle, but Bates, who was known to carry a weapon and methamphetamine, jumped out of the back passenger side door and began running.

Officer Mark Bartley tried to cut Bates off with his patrol car, but Bates attempted to jump the car’s hood and hit his knee on the headlight before getting back up and running again.

Detectives Woodard and McClard were able to tackle Bates, who was actively resisting.

After a brief struggle, he was placed under arrest and searched on the roadside. Officers discovered several used syringes – some of them uncapped. 

Bates was transported to the Macon County Jail, where he was searched again. Inside one of his socks was a small baggie containing a crystalized substance. That substance tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

Bates is also said to have physically assaulted a jail employee while receiving care for a scratch on his leg.

He was charged with violation of probation, evading arrest, resisting arrest, escape custody of an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault, introduction of drugs into a county institution, possession of a schedule I drug and possession of a schedule III drug and manufacture/delivery/possession of methamphetamine. 

Bates is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on July 13, 2022. 

Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons would like to thank all of the officers involved in Bates’ capture.