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Michigan man accused of kidnapping man at gunpoint in Knoxville arrested

According to KPD, on Feb. 17, 2018, Johnson and another suspect allegedly punched and kidnapped a man at gunpoint then tied him up with an electrical cord, placed a Glock-style pistol in the victim's mouth and threatened to kill him.

A Michigan man wanted in a violent kidnapping in Knoxville is behind bars.

According to Knoxville Police, 18-year-old Lavan Johnson Jr. was wanted on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony from an incident that happened over the weekend in Knoxville. He was also wanted for violating probation in Michigan.

According to KPD, on Feb. 17, 2018, Johnson and another suspect allegedly punched and kidnapped a man at gunpoint then tied him up with an electrical cord, placed a Glock-style pistol in the victim’s mouth and threatened to kill him.

A law enforcement team including members of the United States Marshals Service’s Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force and the Organized Crime Unit of the Knoxville Police Department located and arrested Johnson, Jr. in an apartment in the 300 block of South Hall of Fame Wednesday afternoon.

Police said he was arrested with another individual, Malakai Thomas who was wanted on local warrants for drug offenses. At the time of the arrest, KPD said officers also found an assault-style rifle and a handgun.

Several law enforcement agencies, including the United States Marshals Service, the Knoxville Police Department and its Organized Crime Unit, and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, worked together in order to safely apprehend Johnson.

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