MEIGS COUNTY – Two people face felony human trafficking charges following a six-month investigation by special agents assigned to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit.
Agents began investigating Tristin Epperson and Clarissa McKinney in early 2024, after receiving information concerning their interactions with a juvenile.
On Thursday, the Meigs County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging Epperson (DOB 4/19/1999) with one count of Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor, six counts of Statutory Rape, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The grand jury returned indictments charging McKinney (DOB 7/30/1991) with one count of Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor, six counts of Facilitation of Statutory Rape, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
On Monday, authorities arrested and booked both into the Meigs County Jail. The court set Epperson’s bond at $100,000, while McKinney was released on her own recognizance.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (Courtesy: TBI)
Knoxville – As Knox Countians head to the polls on Thursday, the Election Commission wants to issue a few reminders.
TIMES FOR VOTINGPOLLS ARE OPEN ON THURSDAY FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM. Any voter in line by 8:00 pm will be allowed to vote.
THE BALLOT
Voters will be asked “In which Primary do you wish to vote?”
Voters will be able to choose a Republican ballot, a Democratic ballot, or a general only ballot https://knoxcounty.org/election/.
All voters are highly encouraged to review the ballot in advance and follow instructions as presented on the ballot. Sample ballots can be found on the home page at
PHOTO IDENTIFICATION
A photo ID issued by the State of Tennessee (such as a driver’s license) or the Federal Government (such as a passport) is required to vote, unless an exemption applies. Election workers are trained to ask for your photo identification prior to being issued a ballot. Driver licenses from other states are not acceptable forms of ID for voting in the state of Tennessee.
Investigators are currently searching for 14-year-old Lurvin-Danelia Galeas Brizuela who was reported missing by her parents on Wednesday. She was last seen at approximately 10:00 am on that date. Family believes she may be in the company of 21-year-old Esteban Ranganal who has a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm.
Investigators and family are concerned for her safety. Lurvin-Danelia is approximately 5’7” tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
Lurvin-Danelia was last seen wearing a black crop-top, with blue pants, and florescent Crocs.
The MPD is asking anyone with information concerning Lurvin-Danelia’s location to contact police immediately through the dispatch center at 423-585-2701.
In the early morning hours (Monday), unknown suspects utilized a heavy-duty truck to break into a West Knoxville Bank ATM.
The ATM was a stand alone unit and not attached to the bank building. During the burglary of the ATM money cartridges and us currency were stolen. The suspect(s) fled the scene of the burglary on foot. At this time the investigation is still ongoing.
If anyone has any information they feel would be useful to Detectives they’re asked to call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit at 865-215-2243.
Over 31,000 people cast their ballots during early voting in the August 1st, 2024 Knox General, State & Federal Primary and Town of Farragut Municipal Elections.
Just over 2,000 of those votes were absentee votes cast.
If you missed early voting but still want to cast your ballot in the race for U.S. Senate and House races as well as Representatives among others, you can vote on Election Day from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Also, the first day to request an absentee mail ballot for the November 5th Presidential Election is August 7th.
Morristown, TN (WOKI) Police in Morristown are asking for help finding a missing teen who may be with a 21-year-old man.
Investigators are searching for 14-year-old Lurvin-Danelia Galeas Brizuela who was reported missing by her parents on Wednesday. Investigators and family are concerned for her safety; they say she may be accompanied by 21-year-old Esteban Ranganal.
Lurvin-Danelia is described as 5’7″ tall, weighing 130 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black crop top, blue pants, and florescent Crocs.
Ranganal has a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm that appears to include the name and birthdate of the missing girl.
Anyone with information on the missing girl’s whereabouts is asked to call the Morristown Police Department through the dispatch center at 423-585-2701.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) This Wednesday, July 31, you can help save a life and get a ticket to Anakeesta!
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is offering the free ticket to Anakeesta during this one day only event.
Donors will also receive a special edition summer beach towel and a Texas Roadhouse coupon. All incentives are while supplies last and first come, first served. This applies to donations made at mobile drives and at donation centers.
Those wishing to make an appointment can do so here.
Gatlinburg has summer fun for everyone. (Courtesy: WVLT / Marisa Rios)
Knoxville Police are investigating after a woman is shot at an apartment complex.
Officers responded Inskip Flats in the 4700 block of Romeo Way yesterday (Sunday) morning after a 20-year-old woman had been shot in the lower body, she was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect has not been identified but is described to be a thin man, wearing dark clothing and left the scene in an unidentified dark-colored car.
UPDATE (7/29/24): The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency will be standing down and moving to a Level 3 monitoring situation as the waters have receded significantly and will continue to do so overnight. In the morning, folks living or staying in this portion of Sevier County will need to be on the lookout for debris in the roads. In addition, McCarter Hollow Road near Dollywood will remain closed until the washout can be repaired. Crews with the Sevier County Highway Department will be working tomorrow to address these issues. For the latest, check out social media feeds for Sevier County EMA. Great job to our awesome dispatchers at Sevier County 911 Central Dispatch, medical responders with Sevier County EMS, all of our first responders all across the county, Sevier County Highway Department workers and admin, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, and everyone who assisted in this quick and dynamic emergency.
The Sevier County EMA said the following roads are closed as of 11:30 p.m.:
1259 McCarter Hollow Road – Collapsed Road (At Dollywood entrance, according to Pigeon Forge Police Department)
Original story: 7/27/24 The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency opens the Sevier County Emergency Operations Center Level 2 to assist with massive flash flooding.
Sevier County Vice Mayor Bryan McCarter says there was significant flooding in the McCarter Hollow, Dollywood and Walker Trail areas of Sevier County and many side roads are impassable and some have been washed away.
Sevier County EMA says the following roads are closed as of 9:30 p.m. last night (Sunday)
Dollywood is expected to re-open at noon today after one person is injured during flash flooding closes the park and shuts down a portion of Veterans Boulevard.
Pigeon Forge Police and Fire Departments assisted the park in getting guests to safety and say only one minor injury has been reported during yesterday’s flooding (Sunday).
Dollywood is supporting guests whose vehicles were affected. Dollywood’s Splash Country is not affected and will open at its regularly scheduled time. Park officials will continue to assess conditions and updates will be posted Dollywood’s social media pages as additional information becomes available.
Pigeon Forge Police say the flooding also shut down Veterans Boulevard for a time from McCarter Hollow to Forge Hideaway Road.
