Gray man wanted in three counties arrested

A Gray man, who was wanted in three counties, remains behind bars after being captured recently by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

Ryan Taylor

On April 11, Sheriff Mike Smith arrested Ryan Joseph “Opie” Taylor, 28, at a residence on Lynn Camp Hollow Road in Gray.

He had been avoiding capture by police for several days, according to a sheriff’s department release.

Taylor was wanted on two Knox County arrest warrants and was charged with first-degree burglary, theft (firearm), theft over $1,000 (from building), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot) and menacing, according to the release and jail records.

Deputies obtained the warrants after investigating burglary and theft complaints in the Gray area.

Taylor was also wanted in connection with two Whitley County bench warrants for failure to appear in connection to underlying charges of theft, second-degree forgery, criminal possession of a forged instrument, receiving stolen property and contempt, the release stated.

Taylor was also wanted on a Laurel County bench warrant in connection to underlying charges of second-degree fleeing or evading police, public intoxication controlled substance, and second-degree criminal mischief, according to the release.

Taylor was booked into the Knox County Detention Center at 5:20 p.m. on April 11 where he remains incarcerated, according to the jail’s website.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies assisted Smith with the investigation.