A juvenile alerting Edmonson County deputies that a wanted suspect was inside a home with a firearm has resulted in multiple felony charges for the man, including first-degree sexual abuse.
On Monday morning at approximately 2:00, the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of Indian Creek Road, about three miles northwest of Brownsville, in an attempt to locate the suspect, 30-year-old Travis Lee Johnson, of Brownsville.
Johnson was wanted for questioning regarding a “physical domestic that had possibly taken place earlier in Warren County,” according to the sheriff’s office.
As deputies were attempting to contact Johnson at the home, “a juvenile inside the residence utilized the Text-to-911 feature on her cell phone to alert 911-Dispatch that Johnson was inside the home with a handgun,” the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies then forced entry into the home after getting no response following “numerous” knocks on the door. Johnson was quickly detained by police.
There was a strong odor of marijuana inside the home, police said, and after consent to search was given, law enforcement discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a handgun.
The juvenile who alerted authorities to Johnson being in the home was interviewed by law enforcement, as well.
Johnson was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, trafficking in marijuana, persistent felony offender, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All the drug charges are enhanced due to the presence of a firearm.
Johnson was lodged in the Hart County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond. Police said the investigation remains active and additional charges are pending.
Kentucky State Police assisted at the scene.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
