Alleged drug sex deal gone bad

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – Police arrest two suspects in connection to the murder of a local minister.

Steven Kelley, 22, of Ringgold Georgia and Jordan Craig, 26 of Flinstone Georgia are both facing murder and robbery charges.

The couple is accused of killing Kenneth Johnson, 59. 

Johnson was an associate minister at Mount Canaan Baptist church.

According to the arrest report, investigators got a lead in the case when they found Johnson’s cell phone.

The phone contained a text message to Johnson that asked him to go to an alley for an exchange of goods.

Investigators called the number and spoke to Craig.

Craig reportedly told police that she agreed to meet Johnson to purchase narcotics but that he asked her to come alone. Johnson also reportedly requested that she show him her breast and vagina in exchange for drugs.

But Craig reportedly told police she felt scared so she brought her boyfriend Kelly Steven with her.

She reportedly dropped him off nearby to hide in case the exchange went bad.

According to the report, Johnson approached her vehicle and and asked if he could touch her but she reportedly refused the proposition.

After refusing the proposition, Craig said her boyfriend approached and was attacked by Johnson.

She told police that her boyfriend was only trying to protect her.

But when police interviewed Kelley, he reportedly told them a different chain of events.

He reportedly told investigators that hid in the back seat of his girlfriend car and was attacked by Johnson whom he reportedly said was swinging a crowbar.

Kelley told police he was hit in the chest and head but investigators said they only found a scratch on Kelley’s head and no bruising on his chest.

Based on the contradictions in both suspects story, police decided to arrest the couple.

Investigators did not find any drugs that both suspects claim Johnson was in possession of.

Police say the couple ransacked Johnson’s car and took his keys.