PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — John Cris Helton, a former city judge in East Ridge, Tennessee, was arrested on Sept. 28 after allegedly sending a threatening text message to his wife and her friend. Police reported that Helton, 63, sent the message shortly after midnight on the same day.
The text included a photo of a “large black and silver kitchen knife” along with a message that read, “I take that back I will kill both of you first.” Helton reportedly sent the message in a group text that included his wife and her friend.
Helton’s wife informed police that she feared for her life after receiving the threat and stated she did not want to be near Helton. The complaint did not provide details regarding the context of the message or any prior history of threats or violence involving the couple.
When police interviewed Helton, he admitted to sending both the photo and the accompanying message. Authorities noted that the image showed the kitchen knife on Helton’s lap, and he was dressed in the same clothing during the interview as he was in the photo.
Helton has been charged with making a written threat to kill or do bodily harm. He was booked into jail on a $50,000 bond, which he posted on Sept. 30. A judge ordered that Helton not contact his wife, and he is set for arraignment on Nov. 3.