A Knoxville man last known to live on Mystic River Way is the target of this week's Manhunt Monday bulletin, wanted on two violation of probation warrants tied to felony drug and weapon charges. Christian Davante Matthews, born March 15, 1992, and described as 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds, remains at large as of Monday, with his warrants listed as active as of that date.
The bulletin, posted by East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, lists Matthews as wanted for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, unlawful possession of a weapon, simple possession, and evading arrest. Public arrest records show Matthews was previously booked in Knox County on July 14, 2026, on charges including possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to Knox County arrest records cited in the case file. His current warrants stem specifically from violations of probation connected to those underlying offenses.
What the Charges Could Mean in Court
The gravity of the original cocaine charge hinges on quantity. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-417, possession of cocaine with intent to sell is a Class C felony carrying 3 to 15 years in prison for amounts under 0.5 grams, but escalates to a Class B felony punishable by 8 to 30 years for amounts of 0.5 grams or more, according to Community Law Group. Simple possession, by contrast, is a lesser Class A misdemeanor under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-418, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines up to $2,500, per Legal Powers PLLC, which underscores why prosecutors must prove intent or larger quantities to secure a felony conviction.
The evading arrest charge listed in the bulletin also carries its own escalating penalty structure. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-603, evading arrest is defined as intentionally fleeing from a law enforcement officer attempting a lawful arrest, and while fleeing on foot is a Class A misdemeanor, the offense jumps to a Class E felony if a vehicle is used, according to the Brooks Law Firm.
What Happens if Matthews Is Caught
Because Matthews is wanted on violation of probation warrants rather than fresh charges, his case would move first through a revocation hearing rather than a new trial. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-311 gives trial judges the authority to issue arrest warrants for probation violations, and if a violation is established at that hearing, the court may revoke probation entirely and order the defendant to serve the remainder or the entirety of the original sentence in confinement, per MJ Law. For a Schedule II cocaine possession with intent to sell conviction, that reinstated sentence could range from 3 to 30 years depending on the quantities originally involved, according to Community Law Group.
Crime Stoppers has not detailed the underlying court transcripts or incident reports specifying which probation condition Matthews allegedly violated, and the exact nature of his original sentence remains unclear from the public bulletin. All warrants are subject to change, and the organization has stated it makes no legal claim that the listed status is the most current. Matthews, like anyone named in a warrant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
How the Tip Program Works
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers was established on May 1, 2021, through a collaborative initiative between Knoxville city leadership and the Knoxville Police Department to process community crime tips anonymously, according to the City of Knoxville. Between its May 2021 launch and December 2023, the program received 6,072 anonymous tips, leading to 118 arrests, 70 fugitive apprehensions, and 155 cleared cases across East Tennessee, per WBIR.
Tipsters can call *TIPS or 877-363-8847, text ETTips to 847411, use the P3Tips app, or submit information online at EastTNValleyCrimeStoppers.org. All tips are anonymous, and callers do not face caller ID, recorded lines, or court appearances, nor are they required to reveal their names. Cash rewards of up to $2,000 are available for information leading to an arrest, but only tips submitted directly through Crime Stoppers channels qualify for payout.
The bulletin arrives amid a broader decline in violent crime across the city. Knoxville Police Department year-end data show citywide homicides dropped 26 percent in 2025 to 17 victims, while non-fatal shootings fell 27 percent over the same period, Hoodline has previously reported. Manhunt Monday alerts have become a recurring fixture of that public safety effort, with the campaign spotlighting a felony theft suspect and an Alcoa woman wanted on a vandalism warrant in recent weeks alone.
