LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A call of a home intruder recently sent Campbell County Deputy Joseph Weaver to Cedar Creek.

On Aug. 21, the caller told dispatch that the suspect was still on the property with an axe, and he was swinging it around in the yard.  Deputies arrived at the home and found Michael Douglas Willis, later identified by the homeowners as the next-door neighbor.

Not long after midnight that morning, the homeowners heard a loud noise coming from inside their sun room area followed by what seemed to be glass breaking causing them to wake up in fear, according to a report from the sheriff’s department. They ran out hearing more glass break, as the victims entered their living room, they saw a man allegedly swinging an axe around that forced entry into the residence breaking glass out of two entrance doors.  The homeowners yelled for Willis to get out, he ran out the door and began using the axe to vandalize patio furniture and a vehicle.

Weaver found the axe in the same area as Willis who was covered in shards of glass. He appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant, according to the report.  Weaver also found a green leafy substance in Willis pocket believed to be marijuana wrapped in a plastic bag along with a smoking device used for illegal narcotics.

Willis, 58, Cedar Creek Road, LaFollette was charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal trespassing, possession of prohibited weapons, reckless endangerment, vandalism over $1,000, aggravated assault, possession of schedule VI-controlled substance, public intoxication, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A $300,000 bond was set for Willis, who remains housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning.  He’s due back in General Sessions Court on Sept. 3.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/28/2020-6AM)

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