KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Knoxville man has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for illegal firearm offenses and leading a dangerous police chase after leaving a gun show in 2021.
Michael Harris, 38, of Knoxville, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm while being a felon and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He was given a prison sentence of 380 months and will be on supervised release for 10 years after his imprisonment.
Newfound Gap Road to reopen, offering route between Tennessee and North Carolina
He illegally purchased a firearm, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and other items while attending the RK Gun Show in Knoxville in April 2022. Harris, who was under surveillance at the time, committed a traffic violation while leaving the event and was stopped at a gas station on Clinton Highway.
Harris attempted to escape from law enforcement during a search of his vehicle. He ran to the driver’s side door, got in, and sped onto Clinton Highway with a Knoxville police officer inside.