The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek new leads in the 2008 disappearance of Donnie Lee Payne.

Payne collected aluminum cans and was known to many people in the East Cleveland area. The missing persons report says Payne was last seen in the area of Second and Lowery streets on Sept. 14, 2008.

In the three years that have past the BCSO has pursued every lead that developed and no new sightings have been reported.

Payne was 73 years old, five foot 7 inches tall, and weighed around 125 pounds.

He is one of several unsolved missing person cases that remain open.

Anyone with information regarding Donnie Lee Payne or any of the cold case missing person investigations listed on the BCSO’s website, bradleysheriff.com, is asked to contact the criminal investigations division. The number to call is 423-728-7336. After business hours you can leave a message and if you wish you can remain anonymous.

While in custody, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office provides a number of programs for the inmate population to guide them on the way toward becoming productive citizens following their release from custody. Friday those pictured above were among 119 residents to complete "Relationships 411," a class covering a variety of topics from dating to choosing a life-long partner.

The class was offered in six cell pods over several weeks for both male and female inmates. Anovia Braden of the non-profit organization First Things First, who is in the left of the photo, taught the class. 

The ladies In the photo proudly display their certificates. 

It has been just over a year since I took office as Sheriff of Bradley County. Over the years, I have worked in all areas of law enforcement, so there have been few surprises since taking office. Of course, there have been challenges almost every day. But, I am still excited about my job.

As I review the past year I am grateful for many things. Things such as the good work that the deputies have been doing around the county and how everyone pulled together to handle all that has happened since last September 1. I have heard from many of you almost daily about this and I really appreciate it. I am, also, thankful for all the groups and individuals that have served the people of Bradley County after the tragic events of April 27.

Detectives working two thefts from the south WalMart in Bradley County are asking for the public’s assistance locating the individuals responsible for losses amounting to over fifteen hundred dollars.

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has taken warrants for Steven Dale Simmons and Pansy Renee Beard. Simmons has charges of theft over $1,000 and theft over $500. Beard has been charged only with theft over $500.

On June 16 both suspects entered WalMart and took several cameras from a display case. Simmons returned August 5th and took several more cameras. Those cameras were valued in excess of a thousand dollars.

Simmons is 34 years old and approximately six feet tall. He has brown hair and brown eyes and weighs approximately 220 pounds.

Beard is 32 years old. She is approximately 5’6" tall and has hazel eyes and brown hair. The attached booking photo of Beard was taken in 2008, so her appearance may have changed. Simmons’ photo was taken approximately two years ago.

Information developed by detectives indicates Simmons may have resided recently at Chestuee Crossing in Athens. An address for Beard shows an apartment on Keith Street in Cleveland.

Anyone with knowledge of the current locations of either Simmons or Beard is asked to contact the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 423-728-7336, or you can call 9-1-1. Any helpful information is appreciated.

Steven Dale Simmons

Pansy Renee Beard