Thief Convicted of Stealing Car Battery

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Court Division obtained a conviction against a man who stole a car battery from Wal-Mart and then claimed he only took the battery to create an opportunity to confront loss prevention employees. Sharles Johnson, 51, was convicted of Theft. After the jury returned the verdict, Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on January 26.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Nate Ogle and Acting Assistant District Attorney Sean Francis introduced evidence before the jury that proved that on November 11, 2014, loss prevention employees at Wal-Mart in Turkey Creek watched Johnson place a car battery into his shopping cart and then push the cart past all cash registers. When employees stopped Johnson from leaving the store, he admitted taking the battery, but he said he only wanted to see if anyone would stop him. Johnson argued that he was being profiled and harassed and that he only stole the battery to create an opportunity to confront loss prevention employees. After only an hour of deliberation, the jury rejected Johnson’s argument and convicted him of the crime.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.