Former East Ridge city judge arrested following a death threat

John Cris Helton 002

John Cris Helton | Courtesy: arrests.org

Former East Ridge City Judge Cris Helton has been arrested in Florida after making a death threat.

Helton faces charges of threatening to kill his wife and her friend in Panama City Beach.

Investigators there say he texted his wife a photo of him with a large kitchen knife.

They say the message included a threat to kill both of them.

Helton served as both a judge and city attorney for East Ridge.

He resigned for what he described as family health concerns.

Helton was later suspended from practicing law in Tennessee over claims he failed to pay his federal income tax.

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