Judge with gavel on table. attorney, court judge,tribunal and justice concept.

Former judge arrested for threatening wife and friend — Judge with gavel on table. attorney, court judge,tribunal and justice concept.

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.