Wanted man accused of heroin possession

When a Linton man wanted on warrants issued in two criminal cases was taken into custody, he racked up a third case because of what was found in his pocket. When an officer asked what it was, he allegedly said, “It’s just a little bit of heroin.”

Devin Bradley Tatlock

Devin Bradley Tatlock, 21, Linton, was arrested by Officer Debbie McDonald of the Linton Police Department last Saturday, February 29.

Tatlock was wanted on a couple of warrants issued in two different criminal cases that are pending against him. Now he’s been charged in a third criminal case as a result of what was found in his pocket when he was getting booked into jail.

The two warrants have been outstanding for a while but last Saturday, a tip was received by the Linton Police Department alerting officers to Tatlock’s location.

LPD Officers Debbie McDonald, the investigating officer, and Logan Hobbs responded to a residence on 11th Street SW in Linton around 5:45 p.m., located Tatlock and took him into custody then transported him to the Greene County Jail.

Officer McDonald said that during the booking process, Jail Officer Mark Like located a metal cylinder with a screw top in one of Tatlock’s pockets. Officer McDonald opened the cylinder and saw a brownish white powder inside.

When Officer McDonald asked Tatlock what it was, Tatlock allegedly replied, “It’s just a little bit of heroin.”

Officer McDonald reported the contents of the cylinder field-tested positive as heroin.

When Tatlock appeared in Greene Superior Court yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, March 4, he was charged with possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony. A public defender was appointed to represent him and his bond in this case was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

Also yesterday, Tatlock appeared in two other hearings in Greene Superior in the cases with the outstanding warrants.

As a result of an incident that occurred back on November 19, 2019, a warrant was issued for his arrest on November 26. That warrant has remained outstanding until his arrest on Saturday.

He has now been charged with domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years old, a Level 6 felony, and strangulation, a Level 6 felony.

His bond in this case is set at $8,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed, however, he’s facing a stiffer bond in the second case for which a warrant was issued.

This case dates back to an incident that occurred on June 12, 2017, in Linton. The incident involved individuals who some called the “Brown Squad” who were accused of stabbing a man and stealing his puppy. Tatlock, 18 at the time, was one of those arrested.

Tatlock entered into a plea agreement and was convicted in October of 2017 of battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a Level 6 felony, and theft, a Level 6 felony.

Tatlock was sentenced on each count to two years, with one sentence to be served after the other was completed. On each count, he was given credit for 53 days already served and one year and 259 days were suspended. He has been serving his term of probation.

The Greene County Probation Department had filed a petition to revoke his suspended sentences and a warrant was issued.

When he appeared in court for a hearing in this case, his bond was set at $100,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

As of late today, Thursday, March 5, Tatlock has not posted bond and remains in jail.