Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen has convicted a gang member and previous convicted felon.
In September of 2021, police say Demetruice Bennett was waving a handgun toward women and children near the McConnell Street and Lee Williams Avenue intersection and fled the scene before they arrived.
Bennett was found two days later and was identified as a member of the Vice Lords criminal gang.
Bennett was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, assault and evading arrest.
He was serving a 10-year sentence for a prior robbery and now faces 12 to 20 years. His sentencing hearing is set for September 21.
Four suspects arrested for narcotics trafficking (Courtesy: Monroe Police)
Monroe County, TN (WOKI) Four people are arrested Thursday in Monroe County on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Officials with the Sheriff’s Office say MCSO Narcotics and Criminal Investigative Division Detectives, with the help of Monroe County SWAT, searched a home on Southgate Road after receiving several tips about drug trafficking in the area.
After the search, deputies made four arrests and issued five felony charges and one misdemeanor charge in total.
The rocks along the trail are spray painted with symbols, the initials “D+F” and more. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Gatlinburg, Tn (WOKI) “Graffiti is vandalism;” that’s the message from Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials who are asking for help finding a vandal who defaced rocks along Laurel Falls Trail last month.
U.S. Park Rangers investigated the vandalism report on July 24 and found a large section of rocks spray painted with words and symbols to include a smiley face, heart, the initials “D+F” and more.
The rocks along the trail are spray painted with symbols, the initials “D+F” and more (at left); Vandalism along Laurel Falls Trail (at right) (Courtesy: GSMNP)
In a Facebook post Thursday, August 3, park officials said the graffiti is vandalism and is extremely difficult to remove. Repairing vandalized sites is costly, time consuming, and often crews are unable to restore the site to it’s former condition, according to GSMNP.
“Defacing any part of the national park is illegal, damaging, and spoils the experience of other visitors. There are many rewarding ways to express yourself and mark your time at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, such as taking a spectacular photo or journaling,” GSMNP said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the people involved is asked to contact the Great Smoky Mountains Emergency Communication Center at 865-436-1230.
A man is arrested in Monroe County after a deputy sees him driving a car with no tires.
A MCSO deputy saw the car driving towards Madisonville, sending sparks everywhere including on to the deputy’s cruiser.
As the deputy tried to stop the car, parts of the car kept coming off hitting the cruiser.
The deputy says the driver admitted to drinking more than one bottle of whiskey.
Dylan Patterson is charged with DUI and other charges. Police say if you woke up to damage on or near your property in the Rocky Springs area you should give them a call.
A man is arrested and facing charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder kidnapping and assault, after he attempted to force his way into a home with a chainsaw before setting the home on fire.
The Hamblen County Sheriff’s says 42 year-old Brian Scott Walker tried to force his way into a home of a couple and their 13-year-old son who escaped through their basement.
Walker allegedly tried to enter the home by sawing through the front door with a chainsaw. then set the home on fire and waited outside with the chainsaw in his hand.
Walker’s bond was denied and he is awaiting trial.
Police called to the 2600 block of Copeland Street last night and found 22-year-old Joseph Norris who had been shot multiple times. Officers treated him at the scene until he was taken to the hospital where he died.
Police believe the suspect is 18-year-old Logan Norris and believe the shooting followed a domestic, physical altercation that started inside the home.
Logan Norris will be charged with second-degree murder upon his release from UTMC, where he was transported to be evaluated for injuries that were allegedly sustained in the altercation.
Editor’s Note: Some images in this story may be disturbing to viewers.
Sevierville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) UPDATE: Representatives for Jayell Ranch Family Park provided a statement to WVLT News following coverage of their horses:
Since Jayell Ranch Family Adventure Park’s start in 2011, we have prided ourselves on providing to our visitors a safe and fun experience, suitable for all ages. With that said, we acknowledge that we are currently cooperating with officials from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as they visited our facilities, including our horse ranch, on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, as part of their work to confirm the health and safety of our animals. Because of the number of animals on our property, we understand these officials plan to come back to our horse ranch on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, as part of the process to complete their investigation. Through our preliminary discussions with them, we have confidence that any allegations brought forth publicly will be deemed false and unsubstantiated, and the well-being of our animals will be confirmed.
Throughout the course of our existence, we proactively care for all our animals, upholding appropriate standards of care, including visits by veterinarians, and fulfill any and all regulatory obligations to ensure the safety of our facilities in our animals at all times.
For the purposes of full transparency, we want to address photographs that accompany your story, images your news station says you captured during a recent visit to our horse ranch. These photographs (captured by WVLT) provide a limited glimpse of our horse population, showcasing only a fraction of these majestic creatures. Among the equines depicted in these images, a notable portion shows horses in their advanced years, displaying evident markers of aging in their physical features, much akin humans. Such manifestations include a potential leaner physique, despite receiving a diet rich in nutrients and supplements. Additionally, these horses might be visible scars, remnants of past injuries or surgeries accumulated over the course of their lifetimes. Notably, the collection of images also encompasses newly arrived, horses, undergoing specialized care for their pre-existing health conditions.
It is important to note that an integral part of our parks ethos revolves around serving as a safe haven for rescue animals, particularly horses that come to us with pre-existing conditions. The journey of rehabilitation is a gradual process, and some of the pictures of horses that are ranch feature these horses at the start of their treatment under our care. They are the embodiment of our dedication to providing a safe harbor for animals in need.
At the heart of our operations, Jayell Ranch has a steadfast, zero tolerance policy against animal mistreatment. Immediate action is taken against any staff member found neglecting their duties in animal care. We uphold our commitment to animal welfare, vigilantly treating each member of our herd with the dignity, care, and respect they rightly deserve.
We will continue to fully cooperate with the appropriate officials until the matter is resolved.
We appreciate your attention relative to this matter, and for providing us with an opportunity to address it. – Jayell Family Ranch Adventure Park
In the statement, ranch representatives deny claims from past employees that animals in their care were mistreated or harmed.
“Through our preliminary discussions with [the state], we have confidence that any allegations that have been brought forth publicly will be deemed false and unsubstantiated, and the well-being of our animals confirmed,” the statement reads.
However, a total of nine previous employees and one potential employee who went through the interview process at the ranch reached out to or spoke with WVLT News, expressing concern for the horses and sharing their experiences at the ranch.
ORIGINAL STORY: Jayell Ranch Adventure Park, a horse ranch located in Sevierville, is under investigation by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
That finding coming today (Wednesday) through exclusive investigation by our news partner WVLT who visited the ranch and has documented the condition of the horses to include bones showing through the skin and visible wounds; the state would not share details about the ongoing investigation.
Horse at Jayell Ranch (Courtesy: WVLT)
Previous employees also told reporters the horses were mistreated by the ranch, some saying that horses were only allowed a short water break between rides.
A request for comment from ranch representatives had not been returned.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) A Scott County Sheriff’s Office deputy has resigned after an internal investigation into a call he made on June 2.
Through correspondence with our news partner WVLT, Sheriff Brian Keeton confirms deputy Martin Pittman resigned shortly after being placed on leave while the office conducted an investigation.
An investigation was launched because Pittman fired his gun at a suspect driving away from him on a side-by-side ATV. Keeton said no one was hurt in the incident. He added that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was also contacted to see if the incident required an investigation from the agency, but it was determined that Pittman’s conduct was a matter for internal investigation and administrative action from within SCSO.
“The area TBI agent notified his supervisor for guidance, and they both agreed this was an internal matter to be investigated by the Office of the Scott County Sheriff and administrative action for us to deliver upon,” Keeton told WVLT News.
