In the early morning hours of October 16, 2022, Parsons Police Officer Rory Johnson was running traffic when he observed a Red Mercury Grand Marquis with defective equipment. Officer Johnson pulled in behind the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Kennedy.

                Officer Johnson observed an individual exit the vehicle and then turned away and fled on foot from the traffic stop. Officer Johnson gave chase following the man, later identified as Kenneth Jarrell Jones Jr., until he was able to stop him in the 1600 block of Felix. Jones had tripped and Officer Johnson witnessed something being tossed while he was falling. Officer Johnson witnessed Jones try to crawl away on his hands and knees. When Officer Johnson attempted to detain Jones, he began to resist until Sergeant Tony Adamson arrived to help safely get Jones into handcuffs.

                Officer Johnson found that the item that Jones tossed to the ground was a Taurus 9mm Pistol. Jones was previously involved in a shooting incident in Coffeyville in November of 2015, where he had shot at law enforcement and was subsequently shot. Jones is currently on parole for this shooting and is also non-compliant with his registry as a violent offender.

                Officer Johnson was able to transport Jones to the Parsons Police Department without further incident. Jones was found to have an active Warrant out of Cherokee County Kansas for Failure to Appear. Officers searched Jones and his vehicle and located illegal narcotics and marijuana in the vehicle and on his body. Jones is facing multiple charges for various crimes including: two counts for Aggravated Offender Registration and one count of Violent Offender Registration, six counts of Counterfeiting Currency, Distribution of Hallucinogens, Depressant Pills, Methamphetamine and Cocaine all within 1000 feet of school, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana also within 1000 feet of a school, two counts of interference with Law Enforcement, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a convicted Felon as well as several moving violations.

                Jones was in possession of a quarter pound of methamphetamines, a quarter pound of marijuana, over 100 pills, 5 grams of mushrooms, 4 grams of crack cocaine and six counterfeit $100.00 bills as well as the firearm. Jones' Cherokee County failure to appear warrant was for charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Paraphernalia, Counterfeiting Currency, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving while Suspended.

                Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "I am so grateful that nobody was injured in this incident. Having a lifelong criminal fleeing with a firearm and a history of shooting at law enforcement is not something to take lightly. This situation could have ended with one or more people losing their lives. The unknown that police officers travel each day should be an eye opener to each and every voting citizen among us. This felon has already been shot during the course of his violent past and still has not learned his lesson. So, for those in the community that feel that traffic is not an important role in law enforcement I will refer you to the above charges and warrant."

                "How does this revolving door of justice end? Is there a point at which citizens get tired of seeing the same people in and back out of jail again and again? This problem is not just unique to Parsons but all across the US criminals released with very low bail amounts or on their own recognizance- often to just reoffend. We also see individuals who are out on felony charges violate the terms of their bail or probation who are not placed back in jail but again placed on probation. Crime victims deserve better for having their lives ruined" finished Spinks.

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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