Police arrested a Carter County man Monday afternoon after responding to a complaint of a male subject brandishing a knife near a city business and a judge increased the man’s bond during his arraignment.

Officers of the Elizabethton Police Department arrested Justin Trivette, 27, of 1323 Poga Road, Butler, and charged him with public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers responded to the parking lot of the West Towne Square shopping center, located at 137 Hudson Drive, around 4:30 p.m. Monday after a 911 caller reported seeing a suspicious man brandishing a knife.

According to court documents, when officers arrived they found Trivette “stumbling around” and “sweating profusely.” Officers noted Trivette was unsteady on his feet and his pupils were constricted.

“Officers asked Mr. Trivette several times if he had a knife, and he answered that he was dying of an infection,” EPD Officer Cody Mullins said.

While speaking with Trivette, Mullins said officers patted him down for safety and retrieved a pocket knife.

Mullins said officers asked for permission to search Trivette’s backpack and Trivette gave them consent. Officers found a black case containing a syringe, a glass smoking device with residue, and a metal spoon with residue, Mullins said.

“During the course of the incident, Mr. Trivette made numerous comments that he had an ‘infection’ coming out of him,” Mullins said. “He also stated he saw seven people in the parking lot watching him, and that one of them was going to kill him.”

Officers arrested Trivette and transported him to the Carter County Detention Center.

On Tuesday morning, Trivette appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court for arraignment.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Curtis informed the court that Trivette had been in court about two weeks ago, at which time he entered a guilty plea to charges against him. According to court records, on July 31, Trivette entered a guilty plea to charges of third offense driving on a revoked license, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a contempt of court charge. Judge Keith Bowers Jr. sentenced him to 10 days in jail on the driving on revoked charge and five days on the contempt of court charge. Bowers also sentenced Trivette to serve 11 months and 29 days on probation, which would be served after the completion of his current probationary sentence. Trivette is also currently facing a charge of second offense violation of probation in connection with convictions for possession of Schedule VI drugs and three counts of theft.

Trivette served his jail sentence he received on July 31 immediately with credit for time he had already served before his sentencing. He was released from the Carter County Detention Center on Friday, August 11.

During Tuesday’s court proceeding, Bowers took issue with how quickly Trivette was arrested on new charges, as well as the situation that led to the most recent arrest. Bowers told Trivette he was “lucky” that no one was injured during the incident on Monday.

“I think he’s as much a danger to others as he is himself,” Bowers said. “I’m going to increase his bond.”

Trivette’s bond had initially been set at $750, but Bowers increased it to $25,000.

Bowers appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Trivette and scheduled him to return to court on August 21.