Easter text gets Sullivan County man arrested

GATE CITY – A one-word text resulted in the arrest of a Sullivan County man in Gate City on Easter.Anthony Carrier, age and address unavailable, remained at the Duffield Regional Jail Monday on felony counts of domestic assault, malicious wounding and possession of schedule I and II controlled substances.Gate City police and a Scott County sheriff's deputy responded to a call for a welfare check after an unnamed person received a text of "help" from the victim, whose identity was not released, town Police Chief Tery Sivert said Monday.Town Office John Coalson arrived at the woman's apartment to hear a disturbance, Sivert said, before detaining a man outside the apartment and putting him in the patrol vehicle.Coalson then went inside the apartment and saw the victim with injuries consistent with an assault, Sivert said. Coalson also saw several baggies on the kitchen table, containing white and brown powder.After getting a search warrant, police collected evidence and charged Carrier.Carrier was also served an extradition warrant for a Tennessee felony probation violation.Lab analysis of the substances found could mean additional charges, Sivert said."This incident highlights the importance of taking welfare checks seriously and responding swiftly to calls for help," said Sivert. "Officer Coalson's actions ensured the safety of the victim and removed a violent offender from the community. We remain committed to protecting our citizens and holding offenders accountable."Town Officer Kevin McKinney and county Deputy James Manis assisted Coalson.