By Joe Johnson
A man who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service was arrested Thursday afternoon when he was located at a homeless camp in Athens.
Tyshun Xavier Billings, 32, was found at the camp off of Old Hull Road by officers who were searching the area in connection with an unrelated report about a man with a gun. That man was not found, but police said they identified Billings at the camp, and when checking for any wants or warrants they found out that he was wanted for failing to appear in court in connection with a December Superior Court indictment on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Police said that Billings ran when officers tried to arrest him, but he was located during a search that involved two K-9 units.
While searching for Billings police said they also discovered that he had a federal warrant from the U.S. Marshals Service for a probation violation from a conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Billings was arrested on the warrants and a new charge of obstruction for having run from the officers.
Court records show that Billings began compiling a felony record at age 18 with a burglary conviction, and numerous arrests for mostly drug crimes followed.
He is being held at the county jail without bail being set for release.
There are numerous homeless camps on the Old Hull Rd. From one end to the other. At least 100 or more people live in theses camps and litter in the area is awful.
Ah, the homeless camp does so much to improve our community. And most of its inhabitants, being citizens, get to vote. Which they can do by proxy. Someone can come around, get their name and mail in their vote for them.
Camps sound like a compassionate, sensitive solution to a problem. But the way they are run is NOT contributing to the betterment of the community. Just the opposite.
Do I have a solution to the homeless problem? No. But I do know that the camps don't seem to be the solution.
Whole lotta Police at the scene.
I have no doubt that the E-Coli count in the "historic trail creek" is quite high and directly related to this homeless camp.
Arrested now at 32, started his crime spree at 18. Looks like Tyshun has enjoyed a 'life of crime'. And he showed such promise.............