Wlaf1450La Follette Police locate a concealed 9mm handgun on a man deemed under the influence
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- At 9pm Tuesday, a call came in to La Follette Dispatch about a suspicious person behind the La Follette Police Department. LPD Officer Aidyn Fudala and Sergeant Anthony Mahar arrived to find an older white male standing in the bed of a gray Dodge pick-up truck. The truck was parked between the fire department and the flea market event stage next to a no parking sign, according to the report from the LPD.
The man was identified as Darrell A. Johnson, 61, of 1123 Murrayville Road, La Follette.
Police said Johnson was behaving extremely erratically and appeared to be having audible and visual hallucinations, because Johnson was seeing and talking to someone who was not present. After Johnson was asked if he had used any substances or drank alcohol, he denied it. However, Johnson allegedly stated that he smokes “gas station weed”, referencing THC-a synthetic marijuana, based on the La Follette Police report.
Johnson was allegedly in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun that was on his waistband, concealed beneath his jacket along with multiple knives, according to the arrest report from the LPD. It was written in the report that Johnson’s firearm had a magazine with 18 rounds though the chamber was empty.
Johnson allegedly continued showing signs of intoxication by stimulant such as pinpoint pupils and trouble standing still. As a result, Johnson was placed under arrest for public intoxication and possession of a firearm while under the influence and transported to the Campbell County Jail.
Verbal consent was given by Johnson to police to search his person and vehicle. Nothing turned up except Johnson’s dog, Fubar, who was in the cab. Fubar was transported to the Campbell County Animal Shelter. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-12/11/2025-6AM)