The trial for Joey Ponce, accused of shooting a Johnson County, Tennessee, sheriff’s deputy during a high-speed chase, began today, Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Johnson County. The pursuit originated with an armed robbery in Vilas, Watauga County, in April 2025.
A jury was impaneled on Monday, setting the stage for the proceedings against Ponce, according to reports from WCYB. The trial commenced Tuesday morning in Johnson County, where Ponce is facing serious charges stemming from the violent incident.
Officials stated that the sequence of events leading to the shooting began on April 22, 2025, with an armed robbery at the QP store located in Vilas. Following the robbery, the suspect immediately fled the scene, heading north on U.S. 421. The chase quickly crossed state lines, entering Tennessee, where Johnson County deputies attempted to interdict the fleeing vehicle.
The pursuit intensified as the suspect continued to evade law enforcement. Johnson County Sheriff Clifton Worley reported that the chase reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The suspect then steered the vehicle into a business parking lot. While the vehicle was still in motion, the suspect exited and began firing at the officers involved in the pursuit.
During the exchange of gunfire, one Johnson County deputy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The deputy has since recovered from the injury. Ponce, the accused, was also shot during the confrontation and required surgery for his injuries.
In Johnson County, Ponce is facing an array of serious charges. These include attempted first-degree murder, felony evading arrest, and employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. These charges reflect the gravity of the alleged actions during the high-speed pursuit and the subsequent confrontation with deputies.
At the time of his arrest in April 2025, Ponce also had pending charges in Watauga County. WataugaOnline had reported that these included felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, directly related to the initial incident at the Vilas QP store. Assistant District Attorney General Dennis Brooks, representing Tennessee’s First Judicial District, informed WCYB that prosecutors have filed a formal notice of intent to seek a sentence of life without parole should Ponce be convicted.
As with all criminal proceedings, the charges against Ponce are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.