Annual School Crime Study release by TBI

NASHVILLE – By Josh DeVine for the TBI

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released a new study today, detailing the volume and nature of crime on K-12 campuses across the state. The annual report compiles three years of crime data submitted to TBI by the state’s law enforcement agencies through the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS).

Among the findings of “School Crime 2015-2017”:

• From 2015 to 2017, a total of 27,038 offenses were reported by Tennessee law enforcement agencies with a ‘School’ location code.
• The number of offenses occurring in school increased 13.5%, from 8,494 offenses in 2015 to 9,642 in 2017.
• Simple Assault was the most frequently reported offense, accounting for 37.4% of reported offenses.
• The month of September had the highest frequency of reported school crimes.
• While males accounted for 57.3% of offenders in reported offenses, females accounted for 52.8% of victims.
• The most common weapon type was ‘Personal Weapons (Hands, Fist, Feet, Etc.),’ at 80.1%.

“This study will hopefully assist law enforcement, school administrations, and government officials in planning their efforts in the fight against crime and continue to create awareness that crime exists as a threat to our communities,” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. “The threats to society by criminal activity must be addressed by efforts from all law-abiding citizens, as well as law enforcement agencies.”

All Civil War Books now Buy One-Get One Free!

Click here to Visit the VORP Store

As with all of its crime publications, the TBI cautions against using the data provided in these reports to compare one jurisdiction to another. The factors impacting crime vary from community to community and accordingly, comparisons are considered neither fair nor accurate.

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Click here:Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

The full report is available for review and download on the TBI’s website: www.tn.gov/tbi.

TBI Marks 25th Anniversary of ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ Program

NASHVILLE – BY Josh DeVine 

This weekend, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will mark the 25^thanniversary of its successful ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ program.

Launched on May 5, 1993, the program harnesses the TBI’s relationship with the media and the public to bring attention to dangerous fugitives believed to be in Tennessee, while offering cash rewards for information leading to successful captures.

Since the start of the program, the TBI’s Top 10 program has contributed to the capture of more than 400 dangerous fugitives, including several high-profile cases:

• Terry Lee Charlton: The first individual added to the Top 10 Most Wanted, Charlton was wanted to face multiple counts of Aggravated Burglary. He was arrested 18 months later, after a lengthy investigation led by Special Agent Mark Gwyn, who would later become the agency’s Director.
• Margo Freshwater: The first woman added to the TBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted (in May of 2003), Freshwater escaped the Tennessee Prison for Women in 1970, while serving a life sentence for murdering a store clerk in Memphis in 1969. She was captured in Columbus, Ohio in 2002.
• Adam Mayes: Added to the Top 10 in May 2012, Mayes was involved in the murder of a woman in Whiteville, along with the kidnapping of the woman’s two younger daughters. After a five-day search, a tip from the public led authorities to a heavily-wooded area in Mississippi, where Mayes took his life and the girls were rescued unharmed.

Click here to Visit the VORP Store

“The Top 10 program has been an invaluable partnership between the TBI and the public. When we share information about dangerous fugitives, the public pays attention, stays vigilant, and offers tips, which can make the difference in getting these individuals in custody,” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn. “We look forward to that continued partnership well into the future.”

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

Currently, only one of the original individuals added to the Top 10 in May 1993 – Robert Houston – remains on the list, and efforts to locate him remain ongoing. The public can access the full ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ list on the TBI’s website: http://www.tn.gov/tbi.

TBI Releases Crime Studies on Hate Crime and Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers

NASHVILLE – by Josh DeVine 

Today, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released two reports, detailing the volume and nature of crime identified as hate crime and violence against the state’s law enforcement officers. The annual studies compile crime data submitted to TBI by the state’s law enforcement agencies through the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS).

Among the findings from ‘Tennessee Hate Crime 2017’:

• Overall, the number of offenses in which the bias was known increased from 180 in 2016 to 199 in 2017.
• Males (54.7%) were victimized at a higher rate than females (45.3%).
• Simple Assault was the most frequently reported bias-motivated offense in 2017.
• 6% of hate crime offenders were male.
• 2% of offenses designated as hate crimes were committed by juveniles.

The ONLY Candidate with previous Mayoral

Experience: Doug Scarlett!

Paid Political Announcement

To find out more about Doug Scarlett

Visit DougScarlettForMayor.Com

Among the findings in “Law Enforcement Officers Killed or Assaulted (LEOKA) 2017”:

• The number of LEOKA victims increased by 14.7 % year-to-year, with 2,137 victims reported in 2017.
• In 2017, there were no Law Enforcement Officers reported as being feloniously killed in the line of duty.
• T­he most frequently reported LEOKA offense was Simple Assault at 53.7%.

As with all of its crime publications, the TBI cautions against using the data provided in these reports to compare one jurisdiction to another. The factors impacting crime vary from community to community and accordingly, comparisons are considered neither fair nor accurate.

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

Both reports are currently available for review on the TBI’s website: www.tn.gov/tbi.

TBI adds Waffle House Shooting Suspect to Top 10 Most Wanted list with $2500 reward.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a new addition to its ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ list, Travis Reinking.

Reinking (DOB 2-1-89) is wanted by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the TBI to face charges, including three counts of Criminal Homicide, in connection to a shooting that occurred at a Waffle House in Antioch early this morning. The shooting incident remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Reinking should be considered armed and dangerous.

The ONLY Candidate with previous Mayoral

Experience: Doug Scarlett!

Paid Political Announcement

To find out more about Doug Scarlett

Visit DougScarlettForMayor.Com

Reinking is a white man, who stands 6’4” and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. There is a reward of up to $2,500 f

or information leading to his arrest.

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

TBI Launches New Crime Data Platform, CrimeInsight TOPS

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a new, online tool to better help the public track crime in their communities.

The CrimeInsight TOPS (Theme-Oriented Public Site) platform allows users to quickly navigate through key data submitted by the state’s law enforcement agencies through the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS).

On the platform, available online at https://crimeinsight.tbi.tn.gov/tops/, users can select a law enforcement agency, a year, and a data set – either Drugs/DUI, Violent Crime, or Property Crime – before selecting ‘Go.’ The resulting page displays key definitions, data in a set of relevant charts and graphs, and year-to-year trends. The platform also incorporates print and download features, along with access links to the raw data and social media integration. Currently, the TOPS platform offers data from 2001 to 2016. 2017 data will be released later this month, to coincide with the agency’s release of its annual ‘Crime in Tennessee’ publication.

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

“This platform is the next step forward in our commitment to help Tennesseans better understand the crime occurring in their communities,” said Pam Beck, who oversees Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) for the TBI. “We’ve worked hard to make sure this information is as clear and easy-to-understand as possible.”

The ONLY Candidate with previous Mayoral

Experience: Doug Scarlett!

Paid Political Announcement

To find out more about Doug Scarlett

Visit DougScarlettForMayor.Com

The project, funded by the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, makes Tennessee one of only two states in the country to offer the public this level and quality of online crime data.

As always, and in accordance with federal crime reporting guidance, the TBI discourages the use of this data to rank or compare jurisdictions. Instead, in the agency’s assessment, it is more helpful – and fair – to compare an agency’s data over a period of time.

Man Suspected of Killing KY Police Officer Killed in Clarksville by Officers. TBI Investigating

For TBI by Josh DeVIne

At the request of 19th District Attorney General John Carney, TBI Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting in Clarksville.

Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred at approximately 12:00 AM Friday morning and resulted from the search for James DeCoursey (DOB 1-24-83), who was the suspect in a fatal shooting of an off-duty Hopkinsville, Kentucky police officer on Thursday evening. Authorities had issued a BOLO -- be-on-the-lookout -- for DeCoursey, and also developed information he had stolen a white truck and may have been in a particular area of Clarksville, Tennessee. 

Paid Political Announcement

To find out more about Doug Scarlett

Visit DougScarlettForMayor.Com

Law enforcement officers from several agencies, including the Clarksville Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Marshals Service met in the area and located the stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a restaurant on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, near Exit 4 off of I-24. At approximately the same time, a call came into authorities from a hotel across the street, reporting that a man matching DeCoursey's description was there asking for a cigarette. 

Now available for Andriod and Apple in

the Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

The law enforcement officers headed in the direction of the hotel when two deputies from Montgomery County and one U.S. marshal encountered DeCoursey walking across Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, back toward the restaurant. DeCoursey appears to have ignored repeated commands and the situation escalated, resulting in the law enforcement officers firing upon DeCoursey, killing him. No law enforcement officers sustained any injury in the incident.

TBI Agents continue to gather any and all relevant evidence, interviews, and information. Throughout the investigative process, findings will be shared with the District Attorney General. As a reminder: In all investigations, the TBI acts solely as ‘fact-finders.’ Any determination about the legality of the actions of the officer/s involved in these types of matters rests solely with the District Attorney General.

Multiple arrests in Putnam Co. on Drug Trafficking charges Following multi-agency investigation

CHATTANOOGA – A joint investigation into drug trafficking by multiple local, state and federal agencies has resulted in the arrest Wednesday of three individuals in Putnam County. Those agencies participating included the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Middle Tennessee Task Force, FBI, DEA, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Cookeville Police Department, and 13th Judicial Drug Task Force.

On March 21st, Agents conducted surveillance at a hotel on Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville, where an individual with an active warrant was known to stay. While the surveillance was ongoing, that individual, Billy White, exited his hotel room and was taken into custody in the parking lot. Agents found on White cocaine, methamphetamine, and a large amount of cash. A search warrant of the room where White was staying was subsequently executed, and officers found a large quantity of processed marijuana, scales, packaging material, a loaded handgun and a rifle. Two other individuals were also arrested in connection with this investigation.

Now available for Andriod in the 

Play Store and Apple App Store! 

Search: NewCarDawg

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more!

Paid Political Announcement.

Visit DougScarlett.com!

Those charged Wednesday include:

*Billy White (DOB 10/02/1985), Cookeville, TN. One count Possession of Schedule II for Resale, one count Possession of Schedule VI for Resale, one count of Schedule III for Resale, one count of Introduction of Contraband in Penal Facility and one count Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony. Bond set at $40,000.

*Kenneth Bayless (DOB 04/05/1979), Spencer, TN. One count Sale or Delivery of Schedule II for Resale. Bond set at $25,000.

*Sharlinda Turner (04/12/1992), Rock Island, TN. Arrested on General Sessions Court capias. No bond set.

All three individuals were booked into the Putnam County Jail.

TBI Releases Annual ‘Crime On Campus’ Study-most crime down, DUI up.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released to the public its annual crime study detailing the volume and nature of crime on the state’s college and university campuses. ‘Crime on Campus 2017’ compiles data submitted to TBI by the state’s colleges, universities, and law enforcement agencies through the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS).

Among the report’s findings:

• Overall, crime reported by Tennessee’s colleges and universities decreased by 2.8% from 2016 to 2017.
• In total, 26.8% of all 2017 offenses reported were categorized as Larceny/Theft.
• Robbery offenses decreased significantly, by 55.2%, from 29 in 2016 to 13 in 2017.
• Assault Offenses decreased by 13.7% year-to-year.
• The overall category of “Sex Offenses-Forcible” decreased by 26% in 2017. There was a 27% decrease in reported Rape offenses, from 63 in 2016 to 46 in 2017.
• Reported DUI offenses increased by 60.9% year-to-year.

Paid Political Ad-Visit dougscarlett.com

As always, the TBI strongly discourages the comparison of one institution’s statistics to another. The factors impacting crime vary from community to community and rudimentary comparisons will most like result in inaccurate, generalized, and unfair conclusions of the perceived ‘safety’ of one campus over another. It is more helpful for context, in the TBI’s assessment, to compare an institution’s data over the course of several years.

App Available NOW on Google Play Store!

Coming Soon to Apple.

Visit NewCarDawg.com for more info!

“This report will hopefully assist law enforcement, institution administrations, and government officials in planning their efforts in the fight against crime and continue to create an awareness that crime exists as a threat in our communities,” said TBI Director Mark Gwyn.

The full 2017 ‘Crime on Campus’ report, along with similar studies dating back to 2001, is available for review online: http://www.tn.gov/tbi.

Morgan County Man Indicted in Fentress County Murder, Arson

KNOXVILLE –An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the indictment of a Morgan County man on murder and arson charges.

Jonathan D. Smith

In December 2017, at the request of 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI Special Agents joined Tennessee Fire Investigative Services and the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a residential fire that occurred on Maynard Drive in Grimsley on December 2nd. The body of Melissa L. Durham was found inside the home. During the course of the investigation, Agents developed information that led them to Johnathan Donavan Smith (11-23-70) as the individual responsible for Durham’s death. The investigation further revealed that Smith intentionally started the fire at the residence.

Let Jeff Dahlberg explain the FREE Lifetime Warranty!

Contact Jeff today at (931) 337-2540 

or email newcarstn@gmail.com

Today, the Fentress County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Smith with one count of Second Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Arson. This afternoon, he was served in the Fentress County Jail, where he was already being held on unrelated charges.

TBI Says California Drug Distributors seeking Foothold in Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE –  Special Agents with the Drug Investigation Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the seizure of about five pounds of the drug commonly referred to as “Molly”.

During the course of the investigation, TBI Drug Agents received information that a drug trafficking organization from the west coast wanted to begin a distribution cell in Middle Tennessee. Agents learned that a delivery was scheduled to be made to an address in Murfreesboro. On January 29^th, with the assistance of detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and Murfreesboro Police Department, Agents developed information that led to the seizure of five pounds of MDA, and the arrest of two individuals.

Jim Young Reporter is sponsored by

Jeff will Help with your transportation needs! Call! 

“This concerns us because it’s an unusually large amount of this drug that was seized,” says Assistant Director T.J. Jordan of the Drug Investigation Division. “In the form in which it was delivered, it would likely be turned around and used in thousands of pills and capsules for distribution throughout Tennessee.”

"This situation again shows the importance of partnerships between our local law enforcement agencies and the TBI," says Murfreesboro Police Chief Mike Bowen.  "We are proud of the efforts of all officers involved."

MDA or "Molly"

Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh echoed the benefits of cooperative efforts, saying "the partnership with TBI and other law enforcement agencies shows a united goal in drug enforcement.”

On Monday, Kyle Dallas Bowen, (DOB 10/27/1994) and Trey Nicholas Jones, (DOB 06/09/1981), were arrested and charged with one count of Schedule 6 for Resale and one count of Possession of Schedule 1. They were booked into the Rutherford County Jail, where they are each being held on a $100,000 bond.

Kyle Bowen

Trey Jones

Morristown Woman Charged with Filing a False Report in Sevierville Police Accusation

TBI Press Release

KNOXVILLE – An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the indictment of a Morristown woman accused of falsely reporting a sexual assault incident.

In April 2017, at the request of 4^th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents began investigating allegations of sexual assault involving three Sevierville police officers. Ashley Nicole Green (DOB 5-15-85) reported that she was sexually assaulted by the officers while she was unconscious. The investigation revealed that the incident did not occur.

On January 5th, the Sevier County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Green with one count of False Reporting. Green was arrested January 22, 2018, and booked into the Sevier County Jail on a $7,500 bond.

 

Ashley Nicole Green

Cumberland County Sheriff's Department Investigating Pleasant Hill Homicide.

CCSD Press Release:

On January 21, 2018, at approximately 2:24 PM, the Cumberland County E911 received a telephone call requesting a welfare check at 423 Seagraves Rd. in the Pleasant Hill COmmunity of Cumberland County. The request was made by a family member to check on the welfare of Albin Buechel who lives at the address.

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Deputies arrived at the residence located at 423 Seagraves Rd. at approximately 2:53 PM and discovered a male subject lying deceased on the floor inside the residence.  As deputies checked for signs of life and observed the scene, it was believed the manner of death was possibly the result of a homicide.

Investigators with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney's office of the 13th Judicial District shortly arrived on the scene and began processing the crime scene and conducting an investigation.  The identity of the deceased subject has been confirmed to be Albin Von Buechel age: 71.  Shortly after the investigation began it was confirmed that the cause of death was a homicide. The victim has been transported to the State of Tennessee Medical Examiners Office for autopsy.  A possible suspect has been into this homicide investigation has been identified but cannot be released at this time.  The investigation into this homicide is active and ongoing.

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Man who allegedly Shot Knoxville Police Officer now on TBI Ten Most Wanted List.

TBI Press Release:

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has a new addition to its ‘Top 10 Most Wanted’ list: Ronnie Lucas Wilson.

Wilson (DOB 4-7-86) is wanted by the Knoxville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to face a charge of Attempted First Degree Murder of a police officer. On January 11^th, a Knoxville police officer initiated a traffic stop on Wilson’s vehicle. Wilson exited the vehicle and began shooting at the officer, striking him at least one time.

Wilson is a white man with brown hair and brown eyes. He stands 5’10” and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He is a confirmed member of the Aryan Nations and has a history of violence. Wilson should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. There is a reward of up to $2,500 being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Ronnie Wilson

UPDATE-CHILD RECOVERED Statewide Amber Alert Issued for 5 year old Knoxville child.

A statewide AMBER Alert is being issued for the Knoxville Police Department for five-year-old Davontae Maurice Clark. Davontae was last seen at his aunt's residence in Knoxville. Davontae was taken by his non-custodial mother and may be traveling in a white Ford Explorer with temporary tags. Davontae was last seen wearing a Batman tee-shirt. Further clothing description and direction of travel are not known. An active warrant for custodial interference has been issued for Ashlee Clark. If you have information on the whereabouts of Davontae or Ashlee, call 911, or contact the Knoxville Police Department at (865) 215-7347 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Busy Holidays as TBI investigating 2 Officer Involved Shootings in Tennessee

Lawerence Co Shooting:

At the request of 22^nd District Attorney General Brent Cooper, TBI Agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting tonight in Lawrence County.

The incident occurred at the intersection of South Ball Park Road and Mount Nebo Road in St. Joseph, where preliminary information indicates an officer from the Loretto Police Department was responding to a burglary-in-progress call. Upon his arrival, the officer reportedly saw a vehicle leaving the scene at a high rate of speed through a ditch in the direction of the officer and his vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle collided with the officer’s, after which the officer appears to have fired his service weapon several times, striking the suspect at least once. The suspect has been hospitalized with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

TBI Special Agents will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, Agents will submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration. As a reminder: The TBI only acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its investigation. The determination as to whether the law enforcement officers’ actions were justified rests solely with him. 

Humphreys Co. Shooting:

At the request of 23^rd District Attorney General Ray Crouch, TBI Agents are investigating the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting in Humphreys County.

The incident occurred at 533 Carmen Road in New Johnsonville, TN where preliminary information indicates officers from the New Johnsonville Police Department and the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Department were responding to a domestic call. Upon their arrival, the officers reportedly encountered a man with a firearm which resulted in at least one officer discharging their service weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect has been transported to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.

TBI Special Agents will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, Agents will submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration. As a reminder: The TBI only acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its investigation. The determination as to whether the law enforcement officers’ actions were justified rests solely with him. 

TBI Investigating Saturday night Grundy County Officer-Involved Shooting, 20 year old dead.

At the request of 12^th District Attorney General Michael Taylor, TBI Agents continue to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday night in the Coalmont area of Grundy County.

Preliminary information indicates the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 PM following an attempted traffic stop on B Mine Road by deputies from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department. The driver reportedly pointed a firearm at the deputy, who then fired into the vehicle several times. The vehicle, which was facing the deputy’s vehicle at the time of the shooting, sped away and sideswiped the deputy’s cruiser. Deputies attempted to pursue the vehicle, but quickly lost sight of it.

Approximately 20 minutes later, a citizen happened to see the suspect crashed off of the side of B Mine Road. The male driver approached the citizen and said that he had been shot and needed help, asking for the citizen’s vehicle. The citizen drove off and contacted law enforcement. When officers arrived, the driver was not present. However, a female’s body was found inside the vehicle and has been identified as Shelby Comer, DOB 10-23-97. Her body will be sent for autopsy in Nashville to determine the cause of death.

Deputies believe the driver of the vehicle to be Charles “Zach” Burris. Efforts to locate him remain ongoing by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office.

TBI Special Agents and Forensic Scientists will gather any and all relevant interviews and evidence as part of this ongoing investigation. Throughout the process, Agents will submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his review and consideration. As a reminder: The TBI only acts as ‘fact-finders’ in its investigation. The determination as to whether the law enforcement officers’ actions were justified rests solely with him. Additionally, the TBI does not identify officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to their respective department.