Former Co. Employee/Commissioner Mike Harvel faces 11 new Federal indictments handed down by a Grand Jury

Already facing a series of charges related to allegations of sexual misconduct with employees under his control when he was director of the Cumberland County Solid Waste Department, Mike Harvel is now facing additional charges related to the previous charges.  The allegations are stated to have occurred between 2014 and 2018.

Mike Harvel mug shot following

his arrest on state charges.

Harvel remains held in Federal custody after having a request for release on bond turned down by a judge earlier this year. The original charges were set to be heard September this year but Harvel's attorneys requested additional time to prepare and the case was reset for April 2022.

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The new document, known as a superseding indictment was filed on November 15 and restates the original charges against Harvel and added additional charges including more accusations of kidnapping, deprivation of liberty without due process of law, which includes the right to bodily integrity. aggravated sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault, all while acting under the color of law. 

The Wednesday Storm Damaged 7 homes, 2 heavily. October-December are active storm months says EMA.

 

Cumberland Co. Emergency Management Agency has released photos and information on Wednesday night's storm damage and reminds residents that October to December is the second most active storm season of the year.

Families are encouraged to have two ways of receiving emergency notifications and a plan to take cover in the event of an emergency. 

According to radar, the October 6 storm traveled south to north over Lake Tansi and the CIty of Crossville. Damage was reported on Rye Woody Rd., Lawson Rd. and Tabor Loop before traveling on to Woody and Rinnie then into Fentress Co. 

No injuries were reported to citizens or responders. Seven homes sustained damage with two heavily damaged. Photos and information has been submitted to the National Weather Service in Nashville to determine the type and intensity of the storm. 

Over 1000 Volunteer Electric customers were without power after the storm knocked down lines and trees in the area but most power was restored by Thursday morning. 

Suspect shot by THP Trooper and Cumberland Co. Deputy Injured in Saturday Pursuit Incident at Crab Orchard

TBI Press Release: 

At the request of 13th District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI special agents are investigating the circumstances leading to the shooting of a man during an interaction with authorities in Cumberland County Saturday afternoon.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol attempted to stop an individual traveling along Interstate 40 in Cumberland County who was the subject of a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) out of Kentucky. The man refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The subject took Exit 329 and entered a nearby field. He reportedly returned to the roadway and attempted to get back on the interstate. In the process, he struck a Cumberland County deputy's vehicle head-on, injuring the deputy. The subject's vehicle left the roadway and traveled down an embankment. As troopers and deputies approached the vehicle, the situation escalated, and for reasons still under investigation, a trooper fired shots, striking the subject. He was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. The Cumberland County deputy who was injured during the crash was also airlifted to a local hospital for treatment.

The deputy sheriff has been identified as Sergeant Kevin Davis who is in stable condition in the hospital.  

TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI's involvement.

Mike Harvel Trial Date Moved to April 2022 for Defense to Review Substantial Volume of Evidence and Investigate

 The trial date on the Federal Charges against Mike Harvel has been moved to next year because of the volume of evidence that the defense has not yet been able to review.

Mike Harvel Mug Shot courtesy CCSD

Originally set for September 28, the trial has now been pushed to April 26, 2022 for the former Cumberland County Solid Waste director and former county commissioner. Harvel is accused of sexual assault and kidnapping and could face up to life in prison.

The request for continuance filed by Harvel's defense attorneys Patrick McNally and Walter Justin Adams states that the volume of evidence can not be reviewed prior to the deadline for pretrial motions. The evidence, according to the filing includes 23.4 gigabytes of data, 429 total files, 6.5 hours of video surveillance, 223 PDF documents with 1740 pages, and 23 video audio or audiovisual files estimated at 20 hours.

In addition, the filing states that counsel anticipates significant defense investigation is necessary independent of review of the Government’s discovery. The allegations are four to six years ago by several women accusing Mr. Harvel of sexual assaults. The investigations cannot be completed in time for counsel to utilize the information in their defense before the September 28th trial date.

Harvel also signed a waiver of his rights to a speedy trial that has been filed with the court.

Harvel remains in federal custody pending the trial.

Federal Trial Date for Mike Harvel scheduled for September 21

 A trial date of September 21, 2021 has been set in the case of federal charges against Mike Harvel, former Solid Waste director and Cumberland Co. Commissioner.

The trial will be a jury trial and the scheduling order issued by US District Judge William Campbell says that any plea agreement must be completed by August 16.

Mike Harvel mug shot from his arrest in 2018

Harvel was indited by a federal grand jury on numerous charges. The indictment alleges that between 2015-2018, Harvel sexually assaulted seven women under his supervision. Specific allegations include that he kidnapped and sexually assaulted two women and forcibly raped one of them on two separate occasions.

During one incident in July 2017, Harvel confined a woman in a locked room at a county facility, physically pushed her onto a table and sexually assaulted her. In another incident in November 2015, Harvel approached another woman in a dark office, physically pushed her onto a desk and raped her. In December 2015, Harvel drove this same woman to an isolated landfill and raped her again.

The indictment alleges several other incidents of sexual assault, including fondling the breasts and genitals of other women under his supervision and against their will.

Harvel faces up to life in prison and a maximum of $1.5 million in fines.

State Charges against Harvel remain pending in Tennessee Criminal Court. 

A previous EEOC Complaint filed by employees of the Solid Waste Department was settled with Cumberland County for $1.1 million. Link to story

Former Co Solid Waste Director Mike Harvel Ordered to Remain Locked Up Pending Trial

 Former Cumberland Co. Commissioner and director of the solid waste department Mike Harvel who is facing federal Civil Rights charges including kidnapping and rape will remain in federal detention pending a trial according to an order by Federal Magistrate Alistair Newbern.

Mug Shot of Mike Harvel from his 2018 arrest

A hearing Wednesday July 21 presented evidence by federal prosecutors as well as several local residents who spoke on behalf of Harvel (see previous story) but the magistrate ordered Harvel to remain locked up. The reasons for the continuing detention include “clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.”

In addition the order stated that “the weight of evidence against the defendant (Harvel) is strong” and if convicted he would be “subject to a lengthy period of incarceration.”

Magistrate Newbern also gave Harvel a public defender though a notice of appearance was also filed by Nashville attorney Patrick NcNally who represented Harvel at the detention hearing. 

A trial date has not been set.

State Charges against Harvel are also pending in Criminal Court. 

A previous EEOC Complaint filed by employees of the Solid Waste Department was settled with Cumberland County for $1.1 million. Link to story

Decision on Mike Harvel's Release from Federal Detention Expected on Thursday Afternoon.

 Former Cumberland County solid waste director and former county commissioner Mike Harvel remains in Federal detention pending a decision by a federal Magistrate expected Thursday afternoon.

A hearing was held via Zoom on Wednesday with numerous witnesses including County residents who supported Harvel's release from detention pending a trial. Harvel is being defended by attorney Patrick McNally of Nashville.

Harvel's current employer, Jeff Proffitt of Proffitt Trucking described Harvel as polite on the job and offered to adjust schedules so Harvel would be home each night.

Several family members spoke for Harvel describing his 40 year marriage and that his father in law lives with the family.

Mike Harvel mug shot from state charges

Former County Commissioner and E-911 board member Tom Isham served on both boards with Harvel said he was proud to call Harvel his friend. Another former County Commissioner who served with Harvel, David Hassler also supported Harvel as a character witness.

Former County Road Superintendent Wendell Houston employed Harvel on the County Road Department and described him as a hard worker.

Assistant US Attorney Sara Beth Myers represented the prosecution and spelled out the indictment counts and the victims fear of Harvel. Myers pointed out the nature of the crimes adding that the only worse crime was murder. The number of similar stories were striking according to Myers and his conduct was similar with multiple victims and his use of his position of power to exploit the women.

The FBI continues their investigation into the matter and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact them.

Click to read the complete indictment.