Antonio Watkins
Police said a Chattanooga gang member threatened to have an officer killed after he arrested him on Easter Sunday.
The officer said Antonio D. Watkins, 21, asked him his name at the jail. He said after he gave it he asked Watkins why he wanted to know. He said Watkins stated that he "might put a hit on you."
Police said Watkins is a high-ranking Gangster Disciple gang member.
He was charged with possession of cocaine for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana for resale and retaliation against an official.
The officer said Watkins later said he was kidding, but the officer said he took the threat "very seriously."
The officer said he had responded to a noise complaint at 204 Curtis St. He said the caller did not want to see police but stated, "The dope boys are back."
Police saw multiple cars in front of the address, which police said is known to house Gangster Disciple affiliates.
The officer observed a 2002 gold Honda CRV parked in the wrong direction. It had an odor of marijuana.
Watkins and his friend, Breonna Buyck, came out of the residence and were standing in the front yard. Ms. Buyck got in the car to move it.
The officer said he then realized that the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle involved in a shooting at 1900 Olive St. on Saturday.
The officer asked Ms. Buyck to step out of the vehicle. He said he walked up to the vehicle and saw a bag of marijuana and a set of electronic scales in the center console. He also saw a large bag of white powder cocaine in the center console.
He said Ms. Buyck said Watkins was the last person inside the vehicle and his ID card was in the center console along with several empty plastic baggies.
There was a large gold Invicta watch in the center console, which Watkins said was his.
The officer said Watkins started walking back toward the residence and would not follow commands to stop. He said Watkins became aggressive and took a "bladed stance," saying he did not have to listen to police.
At this time about eight people came outside of the residence and started filming the officers on the scene. Watkins was then arrested. He had $225 cash on him. His mother, Latoya Watkins, said he did not have a job. Latoya Watkins, who has an extensive criminal record, was taken to jail on two counts of theft. She was charged after a search of the residence turned up two stolen guns and a Chattanooga Police badge that an officer apparently lost during a foot chase.
Ms. Buyck said she had been letting Watkins use the vehicle and he was driving it on the day of the shooting. Police seized the cash and the vehicle.
Latoya Watkins