New Tazewell man in custody after dragging officer during traffic stop

Published 10:34 am Thursday, February 19, 2026

A New Tazewell man was arrested last week after being served warrants in connection to an incident where he dragged a Barbourville Police Officer with his vehicle during a traffic stop.

According to a release from the U.S. Marshal’s Service, their Eastern District of Kentucky Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force in London was joined by the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, USMS Smokey Mountain Fugitive Task Force from Knoxville, and Blount County (Tennessee) Sheriff’s Office SWAT and K9 Units conducted an enforcement operation on Mason Hill Road in Pineville on Friday, February 13 as a result of a fugitive investigation.

As a result of the operation, 24-year-old John Brandon Gray of New Tazewell, Tenn., was taken into custody without incident. Gray was wanted by the Barbourville (KY) Police Department (BPD) for Assault 2nd Degree (Police Officer), Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree (Motor Vehicle), (2) two counts of Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree (Police Officer), and Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree.

The warrants were issued in reference to an incident where a Barbourville Police Officer was dragged by a vehicle during a traffic stop. The officer was medically treated and expected to make a full recovery.

John Gray was transported to the Knox County Detention Center (KCDC) where he will await his court date in Knox County, KY.