Police still searching for missing man; suspects plead not guilty

Two men pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with evidence in the case of a missing Knox County man Monday as officials continue to search for the body of 25-year-old Jeremy Johnson.

According to arrest citations, Kentucky State Police Detective Jason York arrested Daniel Grubb, 23, of Woodbine and Bobbie R. Walters, 64, of Barbourville.

The two were in court on Monday and entered not guilty pleas to those charges.

Grubb, who has long been considered a suspect in the case, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. The citation states that on the 11th day of June 2008, Grubb unlawfully committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence, a class D felony. On or about that date, police say Grubb moved the body of Johnson and also moved a 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier from his (Grubb’s) residence to an old strip job to hide said evidence. Walters’ citation states that he committed the offense of tampering with physical evidence by disposing of Jeremy Johnson’s body in Knox County.

Johnson has been missing since June 10 of 2008 when he was allegedly last seen at Angels and Wings Sports Bar in a red Chevrolet station wagon.

Officers from the Knox County Sheriff’s Dept. searched an area on Hwy. 459 on July 16 where they found the car belonging to Johnson on the opposite side of a hill officials had searched before. Police said the car had been driven as far back in the woods as it could have been driven.

Police are in the vicinity of Hwy. 459 and Hwy. 6 near Woodbine as the search continues for the body. Though it unsure who, it was reported that a jail inmate was on the scene Monday to assist in the search.