A Chattanooga Police Department sergeant who was recently relieved of duty in connection with an alleged aggravated assault had previously been the subject of sustained internal affairs investigations, according to documents inspected via a public records request.
Most recently, Sgt. Worlie D. Johnson was investigated by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office after an Oct. 6 incident near the intersection of Gunbarrel and Crane roads, law enforcement officials said.
A grand jury indictment accused Johnson of intentionally causing another man to fear imminent bodily harm by use or display of a firearm. Attorney Logan Davis is representing Johnson. Her client is unable to comment on the matter because it is still pending in court, she said Thursday morning by phone.
Johnson, who is out on bond and receiving pay while his case progresses through the court system, has previously faced reprimand from the Chattanooga Police Department for rudeness, improper procedure and unsatisfactory conduct.
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Johnson received a letter of counseling in 2012 for rudeness after purchasing a car from a person online, documents said. The seller, Jason Mullican, told internal affairs investigators Johnson was aware the car was being sold as is, but Johnson called the seller back once the vehicle broke down.
“Mr. Mullican advised that Officer Johnson stated several times that he was a Chattanooga police officer and the car better run good,” the report said. “Mr. Mullican advised that Officer Johnson then said in a loud voice, ‘If I didn’t have this badge, I would beat your ass.'”
Johnson was investigated for rudeness again in 2016, and in 2018 he faced a 20-hour suspension after internal affairs sustained accusations of improper procedure in transporting a citizen and unsatisfactory conduct for cursing at a citizen.
A citizen complained to internal affairs that Johnson picked her up, transported her to the Red Roof Inn and made sexual advances to her inside her room, which allegedly occurred Feb. 21, 2018, while Johnson was on duty. The citizen accused Johnson of acting better than others, the investigator wrote, to which Johnson cursed at her.
Investigators did not find a majority of evidence to conclude that Johnson engaged in sexual misconduct, the report said. Out of Johnson’s 12 internal affairs cases since 2012, most inquiries and complaints were found to be exonerated or unfounded.
Contact breaking news reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.
Note: This story was updated Nov. 14 to correct the sergeant’s duty status and remove a mistaken reference to a law firm.