Ten Indicted in Putnam County Human Trafficking Operation

TBI Press Release  by Susan Niland COOKEVILLE – An undercover human trafficking operation conducted by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Office of the 13th District Attorney General, Cookeville Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations has resulted in the arrest of ten men facing felony charges in a targeted effort to identify individuals attempting to purchase illicit sex from minors. “With each similar operation we conduct, we want to send the same message; that we will not tolerate the sexual exploitation of any person in our community,” says TBI Acting Director Jason Locke. “This is a demand-driven crime, involving men from all kinds of backgrounds. As a state, Tennessee has led the fight to see to it that no child or adult falls victim to these sexual predators.” The operation began in Cookeville on February 15th and continued through February 17th. The operational focus was on individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with females under the age of 18, and those engaged in trafficking others for commercial sex acts. For all three days of the operation, advertisements were placed in the "Women Seeking Men" section of backpage.com, and two female TBI Agents posted as individuals offering sex on that site. During the course of the resulting text or phone conversations, the Agents identified themselves as being 14 to 17 years old. A total of ten men, from college students, to a mail carrier, to a landscaping company owner, traveled to the location to meet for the purpose of illicit sex from a female they believed to be a minor. “As significant as these arrests are, we are only scratching the surface,” says Cookeville Police Chief Randy Evans. “It is incumbent upon us to remain vigilant, and pursue and prosecute human trafficking across the state, as we all continue to battle this heinous crime.” In the course of the three-day operation, men using 697 unique phone numbers responded to the ads that were posted online, seeking to purchase illicit sex. The total number of contacts, such as text messages and calls, was 5,211. Some of the conversations between these men and undercover Agents continued after they learned they were chatting with someone they believed to be a minor. During the operation, Agents and Intelligence Analysts also gathered information in an effort to identify and recover potential victims of human trafficking. “I am pleased that this investigation was successful,” says 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway. “At the same time, I find it disturbing and tragic that there is even a need to conduct such an investigation in our community. The District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to be proactive in the fight to protect child victims and to expose and hold accountable those who prey on them.” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris agrees. “Human trafficking and exploitation of children and young adults has no place in our community. I want our citizens to know that we take every threat to their safety seriously. Our agency will always work with law enforcement partners to help eliminate human trafficking from occurring.” This is the 13th time the TBI has worked with partner law enforcement agencies across the state to help identify, investigate and prosecute trafficking. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI’s efforts in Tennessee says, “For almost three years now, ICE/HSI has partnered with TBI and agencies across Tennessee to combat this heinous form of modern-day slavery.  Individuals seeking to exploit victims of sex trafficking need to realize that law enforcement across Tennessee is unified and will aggressively investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.  We also stand ready to protect and assist any victims that we are able to rescue as part of these operations.” On May 8th, the Putnam County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging ten individuals in connection with this operation. At the time of this release, eight of those men had been taken into custody: *Kenneth Hobbs (DOB 09/29/1966, Dunlap):  One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class B Felony) *Lance Hatmaker (DOB 12/06/1987, Carthage): One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class A Felony) *Matthew Kenty (DOB 06/24/1999, Birmingham, AL): One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class B Felony) *Nicanor Baraiac (DOB 02/15/1976, Lenoir City): One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class A Felony) *Nathaniel Stalnaker (DOB 05/04/1999, Cookeville):  One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class A Felony) *Justin Adcock (DOB 02/13/1990, Algood):  One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class A Felony) *Daniel Baltazar (DOB 07/16/1983, Cookeville): One count Patronizing Prositution (Class B Felony) *Marcus Clark (DOB 07/27/1999, Monroe): One count Patronizing Prostitution (Class A Felony) Jerry Redman is CEO of Second Life Tennessee, a non-profit anti-human trafficking organization for the 25-county region that includes the Upper Cumberland area. “Our organization works regularly to educate communities on what trafficking actually is, and create and strengthen partnerships to ensure that our region is well-equipped to turn the tide on this crime, and most of all, assist those victimized by trafficking so that they can truly live the lives they dream of and deserve.” For more information on resources, and how to help in the fight against human trafficking, visit https://ithastostop.com/.   Kenneth Hobbs    Lance Hatmaker    Matthew Kenty   Nicanor Baraiac    Nathaniel Stalnaker    Justin Adcock    Daniel Baltazar    Marcus Clark

Upper Cumberland Coordinated Drug Operation Results in Six Overton Co. Indictments, Arrests

COOKEVILLE – A joint drug investigation by Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Overton County Sheriff’s Department and multiple local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of several individuals charged with the sale and delivery of various scheduled narcotics.

The coordinated operation conducted in and around the Overton County area focused on the sale and delivery of various illegal narcotics, and involved law enforcement officers from the TBI Drug Investigation Division, Overton County Sheriff’s Department, Middle Tennessee Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), 13^th Judicial Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Cookeville Police Department, Pickett County Sheriff’s Department and Crossville Police Department.

On November 28^th, the Overton County Grand Jury returned indictments, charging six people with a variety of drug-related offenses. On Wednesday, law enforcement officers arrested those individuals and booked them into the Overton County Jail:

*Steve Allen Walsh (DOB 10/01/1970), Cookeville. Two counts Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance, two counts Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $90,000.

*Tammy Renee Daily (DOB 5/06/1963), Cookeville. Two counts Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance, two counts Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $90,000.

*Joey Dwight Rhule (DOB 5/09/1976), Byrdstown. One count Sale of Scheduled II Controlled Substance, Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance. Bond: $50,000.

*Jennifer Lynn Norris (DOB 7/10/1974), Cookeville. One count Sale of Schedule III Controlled Substance, one count Delivery of Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond: $40,000.

*Barbara K. Duke (DOB 8/21/1959), Livingston. One count Sale of Schedule III Controlled Substance, one count Delivery of Schedule III Controlled Substance. Bond: $40,000.

*Christy Dean Buck (DOB 7/20/1976), Livingston. One count Sale of Schedule IV in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Delivery of Schedule IV in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free School Zone, one count Delivery of Schedule II Controlled Substance in a Drug-Free School Zone. Bond: $60,000.

Booking photos of these individuals are below:

   Steve Walsh

 Tammy Daily

 Joey Rhule

 Jennifer Norris

  Barbara Duke

 Christy Buck

TBI Agents Investigating Cookeville Arrest-Related Death

TBI News Release by Josh DeVine

At the request of 13^th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI Special Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man while in the process of being arrested overnight by officers from the Cookeville Police Department.

Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred at approximately 12:30 Friday morning, when the Cookeville Police Department received a call alerting them to a man, identified as Richard Thomas Sparks (DOB 1-20-80), walking in the median of Interstate 40 near Mile Marker 288. When an officer arrived and made contact with Sparks, he became combative. A second officer arrived to assist, and the two were able to place Sparks on the ground in handcuffs. A short time later, however, Sparks became unresponsive. The two officers suspected an opioid overdose and administered a dose of naloxone, which was not successful in reviving Sparks. The officers then attempted to use a portable Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), which was also unsuccessful. Medics transported Sparks to Cookeville Regional Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him deceased.

TBI Agents gathered relevant information, interviews, and evidence at the scene early this morning in connection to this active and ongoing case. In turn, investigative findings will be submitted to the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration. As a reminder, the TBI acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its cases. The decision as to whether the actions of the officers were justified rests solely with the District Attorney General.

Per TBI policy, the agency will not identify the officers involved in this incident and will instead refer questions of that nature to their department.

Second fatality reported in Cookeville Ficosa shooting from Tuesday

Cookeville police say the man who was shot in yesterday's domestic related shooting has died from his injuries.

Tyler Wayne Stults was shot by 30 year old Angelique Deplae.  The two are lasted as "in a relationship" according to both of their facebook pages though other reports say they were no longer together.

Tyler Stults from his Facebook page

Angelique Deplae from her Facebook page

Rebecca Crowley was sitting in a car with Stults when the shooting took place and she was also wounded in the attack.  Following the shooting, Deplae allegedly took her own life.
 

Names of those involved in Ficosa shooting released.

From Cookeville Police Department

Names Released in Domestic-Related Shooting

Cookeville, TN – A shooting occurred in the parking lot of a local factory earlier today while 35-year-old Rebecca Ann Louise Marion Crowley and 20-year-old Tyler Wayne Stults (both employees of the factory) were seated in a vehicle in the parking lot.

According to witnesses, the vehicle was approached by 30-year-old Angelique Elizabeth Deplae who opened the driver’s door and began firing a revolver. Ms. Deplae then apparently walked toward the front of the vehicle and took her own life.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Stults and Ms. Deplae had been in a prior domestic relationship.

The shooter, Deplae killed herself at the scene and Stultz and Crowley were hospitalized.  Crowley was flown to Erlanger while Stultz was taken to a Cookevlle hospital and then transferred to Nashville.  Both Mr. Stults and Ms. Deplae list the other as being in a relationship on their facebook pages.  

Three shot outside Cookeville FICOSA plant. UPDATED INFO

Statement from Cookeville Police Department Major Carl Sells 12:10 PM:

3 People Shot Outside of FICOSA Plant

Cookeville, TN – At approximately 10:37 am, we received information that a shooting occurred in the parking lot of the FICOSA building located on Highlands Park Boulevard.

Three people were shot: 1 male and 2 females. The female shooter is deceased. One of the victims was flown to Erlanger Hospital, and the other victim was taken to Cookeville Regional Medical Center for treatment.

We are investigating this as an isolated domestic violence incident.

The area is secure, and there is no outside threat to the community.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Cookeville Police Department at 931-526-2125.
Statement from Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton posted at 11:30 AM on Facebook:

 At approximately 10:37 am, CPD received a call that there was a shooting at the FICOSA plant on Highlands Park Boulevard. The shooting took place outside of the building. Three people were shot, 2 female and 1 male. 1 person is deceased and 2 others have been flown to hospitals. The scene is secured, and there is no danger to the community. We will have a more detailed press release later today. Please pray for those involved!

News report from WTVF, Channel 5

Remote Area Medical Clinic in Cookeville this weekend includes free medical, dental and vision services

Remote Area Medical will be holding a free medical clinic in Cookeville this weekend on March 18 and 19 from 6 AM to 2 PM each day. Cookeville High School at 2335 N. Washington Ave hosts the clinic.

Patients will be able to get medical care and either dental or vision services. Patients can revceive a number at 3 AM each morning of the clinic and only those in line at the time numbers are given out will be able to get a number. No proof of residency or income is required to participate but patients are asked to bring the medicine they take every day.

Because the wait may be long and could be in the weather, participants should bring food and water, appropriate clothing and books or games for entertainment.

Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock of Wild Kingdom TV fame. While RAM goes all over the world to provide baisc medical care the majority of their work is currently done in the USA