KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — According to a release from the United States Department of Justice, a 38-year-old Knoxville man, Michel Harris, was sentenced to 380 months in prison Tuesday. After Harris serves his term, he will be on supervised release for 10 years.
Harris pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine, the department said. He was also charged with having a gun in his possession as a felon.
"According to the filed plea agreement, Harris, who is a convicted felon, illegally purchased a firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other firearm paraphernalia, including upper receivers for an AR type rifle, and 100-round, 60-round, and 50-round drum magazines for various caliber firearms, while attending the RK Gun Show in Knoxville in April 2022," the report said.
After leaving the gun show Harris, who the DOJ said was under surveillance, committed a traffic violation and was stopped at a gas station off Clinton Highway. Officers then searched his van while at the gas station. During the search, Harris ran to the driver's side door, got into the van, and drove onto Clinton Highway with an officer still inside, the release said.
"The officer attempted to restrain Harris and gain control of the van but was unsuccessful," the report said. "Ultimately, the van crashed into oncoming traffic, hitting two vehicles head-on."
According to the report, Harris then ran on foot until he was eventually caught. The officer inside the van suffered a head wound and a badly broken arm, the release said. No other drivers or passengers were seriously injured.
The officer inside the van was able to make a full recovery, the report said.
"The charges were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office," the DOJ said.
