A gang member and self-proclaimed sovereign citizen was convicted this week of biting the end off of a Knoxville police officer's thumb.
According to the Knox County District Attorney General's Office, Alexander Ray Johnson, 30, was convicted of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Assault.
On June 14, 2017, a KPD officer pulled Johnson over for speeding and not having a license plate. Instead of a license plate, the car displayed a plate claiming a right to travel as a “Sovereign Hebrew Israelite.”
He argued with the officer, refusing to provide a driver license, claiming that as a sovereign citizen, he didn't have to. He argued that speeding was not a crime. Johnson recorded most of his confrontation with the officer, which was presented as evidence in court.
In the video, you can hear a woman in the car, and Johnson mentions that he has his kids with him.
As Johnson continued to argue with Officer Tim Edwards and became more hostile, according to prosecutors, Officer Trey Lane arrived as backup.
They asked Johnson to step out of the car, and he refused. As they attempted to take Johnson into custody, he began fighting, kicking and punching them. During the fight, Johnson bit the tip off of Officer Lane’s right thumb, which caused permanent damage.
“We can all be proud of how professionally the police handled a very difficult situation,” said DA Charme Allen.
Judge Bob McGhee set a sentencing date of March 28. Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between three and six years in prison. Prosecutors plan to ask for the maximum sentence, calling Johnson a danger to the community. Prosecutors also said Johnson is a member of the Bloods criminal street gang.