Man Arrested After Trying To Run Over Police Officer

A Newport man is in jail after nearly running over a police officer Monday. The Cocke County Sheriff’s office was looking for 40 year old Travis Caughron who had two active warrants for his arrest. He was spotted near the Family Inn on Hwy 25-70 Monday afternoon. Caughron was sitting in a white Ford Ranger pickup and originally told Newport officers his name was Jason Cutshaw. When officer Justin Shelton went to the back of the pickup to get the tag information, Caughron, suddenly put the truck in reverse, nearly running over officer Shelton. He then took off at a high rate of speed leading both Newport and Cocke County deputies to pursue him. That pursuit ended at a home on Edwards Way where Caughron ran into a home. A woman in the home refused to let police in, leading them to make a forced entry. Travis Caughron was found trying to hide in a bathroom. He is now charged with multiple offenses including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, evading arrest and criminal impersonation.