|
BradleySheriff.com
|
Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
|
|
Thursday, 21 January 2010 |
When I took office in 2006, the average emergency response time ~ the time that a call is dispatched from the 911 Center until a deputy arrives at the scene ~ was almost 10 minutes. Within my first year, we were able to reduce that response time to a little over seven minutes. We did this by better utilizing existing resources, reducing top-heavy management and placing more patrol deputies on the road.
Now, I am glad to report we have reduced that average emergency response time again, to six minutes and 52 seconds. In emergency situations, every second counts and can even mean the difference between life and death. We are working hard to improve our emergency response even more, but as the population of Bradley County continues to grow, that will be increasingly more difficult without hiring more patrol deputies. However, that six minutes and 52 seconds emergency response is good news indeed.
Another crime fighting technique we put in place at the sheriff’s office has paid off as well, and that is our Internet Crimes Against Children unit (ICAC). The BCSO is dedicated to the safety of children and will use every resource at our disposal to prosecute on-line predators as they are located and identified in our area. Not too long ago, we partnered with the Knoxville Police Department in the newly developed ICAC program. I work with Knoxville Chief of Police Sterling Owen on the Tennessee Crime Prevention Coalition board and it is a pleasure to work with him on ICAC as well.
The ICAC program is sponsored through the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which focuses on investigating and prosecuting crimes against children perpetrated though the Internet or other electronic media and/or communication devices. It is a cooperative effort of U.S. Attorneys, ICAC Task Forces, the FBI, Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, a number of state and local law enforcement officials in each U.S. Attorney’s district including our local DA, and various advocacy organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
ICAC is a network of more than 2,000 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies engaged in proactive investigations, forensic investigations and criminal prosecutions. It grew out of an identified need to combat the spread of child pornography and increased activity of predators seeking unsupervised contact with potential underage victims.
I am glad to report that this past week, the investigative efforts of the BCSO’s ICAC Unit resulted in the arrest of two Knoxville men on charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors. One of the men was also charged with sending nude photographs to an underage child over the Internet and is also charged with soliciting an underage child for sexual purposes.
Like in most every other area of society, computer technology has proven to be a tremendous law enforcement tool. The BCSO has been on the cutting edge of new technology in forensics, investigations and cybercrime technology. Working with the ICAC Taskforce, we will use the power of the Internet against the very ones who would exploit it for illegal activities.
Citizens can call (423) 728-7336 to share information regarding the possession, distribution or receipt of child pornography and the online enticement of children for sexual purposes. Callers have the option of leaving tips anonymously if they wish.
|
|
|
Written by Bob Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 |
|
Investigations by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office implicated two Knoxville men in crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
On Friday BCSO detectives assisted by Knox County Sheriff’s deputies took Robinson Tate Lindsay, 26, and Matthew R. Conard, 22, into custody at their Knoxville homes. Both were initially held at the Knox County jail and were later turned over to the Bradley County Corrections Division transport unit.  Robinson Tate Lindsay Lindsay has been charged with soliciting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The investigation revealed he allegedly sent nude photographs to a minor over the Internet. A separate investigation resulted in charges against Conard of soliciting the sexual exploitation of a minor and solicitation of a minor. He is also charged with sending nude photographs to an underage child over the Internet and additionally is charged with soliciting an underage child for sexual purposes.  Matthew R. Conard The suspects posted bonds of $5,000 and were released after processing by the booking office staff. Each appeared in court on Tuesday for arraignment and had their next court appearance set for February 9th. The BCSO was recently awarded federal funding to investigate, arrest, and prosecute predators that are using the Internet to seek out children for illegal purposes. Sheriff Tim Gobble said citizens can call 423-728-7336 to share information, “regarding the possession, distribution or receipt of child pornography and the online enticement of children for sexual purposes.” Callers have the option of leaving tips anonymously if they wish.
|
|
|
Written by Bob Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Thursday, 14 January 2010 |
 Elijah Marteiz Fletcher
Drug Enforcement Unit detectives at the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office seized 15 pounds of marijuana after stopping a vehicle they saw crossing the centerline of I-75 several times. The traffic stop near the 27 mile marker resulted in the arrest of Elijah Marteiz Fletcher of Tucker Georgia, identified as the driver of the vehicle, and a passenger, Jesica Beth Wolford of Patriot Ohio. Both are charged with possession of marijuana for resale. Fletcher has additional charges of failure to maintain lane and driving on a suspended license.  Jesica Beth Wolford Detectives found marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle after a drug dog walked around the vehicle and gave a positive alert indicating the presence of an illegal substance. Both suspects were detained at the Bradley County jail.
|
|
|
Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
|
|
Thursday, 14 January 2010 |
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive illegal drug that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms include dilated pupils, sweating, dry mouth, flushed skin and tremors. Users may also exhibit aggressive and psychotic behavior, irritability, anxiety, paranoia and auditory hallucinations. If meth users survive their addiction, long-term effects can include serious cardiac and neurological damage.
Meth doesn’t just wreak havoc on users. The chemicals used to make the drug can damage the kidney, liver and central nervous system of anyone who may be exposed to them. Also, these chemicals can leech into walls, carpets, furniture, clothing, plaster, wood and even the surrounding soil. The manufacture of meth not only poisons the area in which it is manufactured, it also creates a volatile and highly flammable situation … explosions and fires are not uncommon.
I cannot list all the poisons that go into making meth because it is such a long list; however, some of the chemicals used include acetone, starter fluid, drain cleaner, lye, antifreeze, paint thinner, iodine, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, battery acid, and other highly poisonous substances. In fact, meth is so poisonous, so toxic, that the area where it is manufactured must be cleaned and decontaminated by Hazmat teams in protective clothing. The cost of cleaning the remnants of a meth lab can run anywhere from $2,000 to over $20,000.
In addition to the immediate costs of cleaning contaminated meth lab sites, meth use contributes to domestic violence, child abuse, automobile accidents and increased local, state and federal taxpayer dollars to pay for additional law enforcement, social services, medical costs and emergency room use. Also, since the drug is typically injected, usage can spread infectious diseases when addicts share needles.
Some meth makers practice the hit-and-run tactic of setting up operations in temporary quarters such as hotels or motel rooms. By doing this, they hope to stay under the radar, but the danger to travelers and others staying in adjoining rooms is very immediate. Hotel/motel owners and managers are well-advised to report any suspicious activity or odors coming from their rooms, as this may be an indication that a meth lab is operating. The BCSO will quarantine any such rooms or houses confirmed to have been used to manufacture meth until a certified environmental specialist certifies the rooms are safe for habitation.
The BCSO’s drug unit, patrol deputies and Criminal Investigations Division working in cooperation with the city, the 10th Judicial DTF and other law enforcement agencies have been very effective in reducing meth operations in Bradley County. Since 2007, meth labs here have been reduced by over 67 percent. Although methamphetamine continues to be a problem, we are constantly working to shut meth labs down as they are discovered. The Tennessee legislature has also done a good job of restricting the purchase of ingredients used to make meth.
Illegal drugs will never entirely be eliminated as long as there is a demand and an unscrupulous criminal element willing to meet that demand, but we will continue meeting the threat head-on. Through the efforts of the men and women of the BCSO partnering with business, community organizations and private citizens, we can be effective in reducing drug and criminal activity here in Bradley County.
|
|
|
Written by Bob Gault, Public Information Office
|
|
Wednesday, 13 January 2010 |
A woman being held at the Bradley County jail for New Mexico authorities has new charges that are the result of a burglary to a neighbor’s residence on the day before her arrest. On Tuesday the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office added aggravated burglary and theft charges for 20-year-old Carissa Diane Hamby, who was arrested Friday on the out-of-state forgery warrant.  Carissa Diane Hamby After being placed in custody Hamby managed to open a window of the vehicle and escape. Still handcuffed, she ran a short distance to a barn where she fell climbing into the loft. Medical personnel were called to examine Hamby and decided to send her to Erlanger Medical Center. There she was examined by doctors and found to have no injuries. Detectives continued an investigation of the burglary and identified Hamby as the person who pawned a diamond ring and digital camera belonging Norval Wilburn of Blue Springs Church Road. Wilburn reported those items, a chainsaw and weedeater were stolen on January 7th. Hamby remains in custody where she is also charged with escape and evading arrest.
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next > End >>
| | Results 100 - 108 of 717 |
|
BradleySheriff.com