Reported knife threat lands Dalton man in jail

Friday, July 11, 2014

photo Jody Lee Raby

After getting into an argument at a convenience store Wednesday night, a Dalton, Ga., man slid a knife out of his pocket.

"If you come toward me, I will cut you," 31-year-old Jody Lee Raby told the other man, according to a Whitfield County Sheriff's Office incident report.

The report gives this account: Raby and a juvenile girl walked into the Kangaroo Express on Carbondale Road about 8 p.m., but the clerk confronted them.

"The two of you aren't allowed in the store," said Chelsea Lee Johns, 23.

Raby and the girl stayed inside. Eventually, Johns' husband, 23-year-old Brett Kelby Noblitt, drove to the store and came inside. He argued with Raby, and Raby whipped out a knife.

Noblitt retreated to his car. Raby followed him. The men stayed about 30 yards apart, yelling at each other, as Johns called 911. Whitfield County deputies arrived within a couple of minutes and Raby asked to see a paramedic. He said he was having a panic attack.

Members of the Emergency Medical Services team examined Raby, and Raby looked at a deputy.

"Just take me to jail," he said.

The sheriff's office charged Raby with criminal trespass and aggravated assault, which carries a sentence of one to 20 years in prison.

Raby remained at the Whitfield County Jail on Thursday without a bond.

Noblitt declined to comment, and Johns did not return a call seeking comment Thursday.

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at tjett@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.