Cornelius BirtThe execution of a "high risk search warrant" this morning led to the arrest of a Chattanooga man and the discovery of crack cocaine, two handguns and a digital handheld radio belonging to Norfolk Southern Railway, authorities said.
Cornelius Birt will be charged with two counts of assault of an officer, felony possession of firearms, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen government property and animal neglect, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said it was unclear whether Birt is related to - or is the same person as - Cordirrus Birt, who was sought by Chattanooga police after being named as the suspect in the shooting of Derrick Lewis last Friday. Lewis was shot in the buttock outside of Terry's Lounge on Rossville Boulevard.
Birt is one of the aliases used by 20-year-old Cordirrus Jones, Chattanooga police said.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. today, the Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Special Operations Unit, after an extended investigation, went to 2104 E. 32nd St., the Birt, Atkinson said.
Along with crack cocaine, investigators found two loaded handguns - a 9 mm and a .45 caliber - several boxes of ammunition and a digital handheld radio belonging to Norfolk Southern Railway, Atkinson said.
Outside the residence, detectives spotted an emaciated pit bull chained in the back yard. McKamey Animal Shelter and Adoption Center responded to take care of the dog, Atkinson said.