May 15: Maurice Shults is reinstated to the post of Newport police chief after a successful appeal to the Civil Service Board, which votes 2-1 to end the actions taken against him. The informant says that between $2,000 and $20,000 was gambled on each fight. In 1998, longtime Sheriff Tunney Moore decides it's time to step down from office and a political free-for-all erupts. Attorneys weed out a number of potential jurors before settling on a panel of seven men and five women. Popcorn Said it begins, and the rest is unfit to print. After the stop took place and THP seized the money, Taylor told Dodgin that he wished he had taken a shot at it' and indicated that he and Dodgin would rob any such couriers in the future.". Chamber of Commerce Member Service Coordinator. You made some choices some bad choices. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Now you get me out of this mess, you know what I'm saying?' King replies: "I don't refer to Mr. Sheldon as a 'common criminal.' Cocke County sheriff's deputies search the house and find nine video poker machines "that were all hooked up, all running" as well as a "huge poker table," Sheriff Moore says. The business license for Four Star Auto Sales is held by Jimmy Lay and the license for Hilltop Auto is held by Bryan Buckner and Darrell Mitchell, according to the Cocke County Clerk's Office. This governor has an interesting circle of friends, both at the campaign level and in his administration.". He has a bachelor's degree in biology, has been president and owner of a whitewater rafting company in Cocke County, and was once the director of sales and marketing at Four Star Auto Sales, his resume states. Patrick Taylor is represented by defense attorney David Hill while Jarrod Taylor is represented by court-appointed lawyer Olen Haynes Jr. Dec. 29: Judge Inman rules that prosecutors may use the recordings made of Deputy Black after he had retained attorney Joanne Sheldon, saying the U.S. Supreme Court has held that tapes made after an attorney is retained may be used to impeach false testimony by the defendant. According to Smith, Taylor was a marijuana and cocaine dealer before joining the Cocke County Sheriff's Department in 1996. (See sentencing memorandums in Roach/Sheldon case: Patrick Taylor's sentencing hearing is reset to Oct. 2 after his attorney, David Hill, files motions explaining that he has been seriously ill. Sept. 19: Mike Gunter is convicted of conspiring to distribute and attempted possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine after a six-day trial in federal court in Greeneville. After the meeting, Shults says the officers will be placed on patrol but be required to surrender their weapons while off duty. "During the course of the search, a trap door was found in the living room floor under a chair," according to a release from Evans. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Aug. 9: A federal grand jury indicts 53-year-old Michael Carl Vassar of Newport on charges of cocaine trafficking and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. July 1: In an unusual move, Dodgin waives his right to a grand jury review of the charges against him and pleads guilty in federal court to cocaine and gun charges. "This type of conduct leads to other types of harmful conduct and violence against women, violence against seniors," Cohen said. Newport Police Chief Shults says he will consult with the city administrator before determining how the ruling will affect the officers' employment status. Taking part were the Cocke County Sheriff's Office, the TBI, Newport police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Also, John Dale Ramsey allegedly operated a "miniature restaurant" at the Del Rio pit for "about a year," Farrow says. "Primarily, it's because of the influence of your brother." While the county hardly had a monopoly on illegal liquor production, the men who clashed with federal "revenuers" on the mountains and roads of communities like Del Rio and Cosby have become legends. Three persons linked to this address. "That's what our nation is all about." ", Dec. 7: District Attorney General Al Schmutzer Jr. announces that he won't seek re-election after spending more than 30 years as the top prosecutor in Cocke, Sevier, Jefferson and Grainger counties. Sa fortune s lve 400 000,00 euros mensuels Dec. 5: A Cocke County grand jury declines to indict Newport Police Chief Clay Webb, his son Bart T. Webb, and Newport Police Capt. Keep it Clean. ", The only witness called by Black is FBI Agent Thomas Farrow, who says that Black was questioned because "he has very specific knowledge of the corruption and his assistance would have been helpful," but the deputy refused to cooperate. And yes Pat is still a blessing in my life and has my full respect for being a man that will stand accountable for what he has done wrong.". One prosecutor has said the current probe represents the "last gasps" of an outlaw tradition that began generations ago, and it appears that the first acts of the drama now unfolding in Newport and Del Rio may have begun in the 1960s, when D.C. Ramsey was a young constable elected to patrol the roads of one of East Tennessee's roughest areas. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. Department officials later confirm that the FBI has seized Smith's personnel file along with a videotape of the Oct. 4, 2003 traffic stop involving Dustin Lee White and former deputy Dodgin. If it is, he argues, sports such as professional boxing or even football may run afoul of Tennessee's hard-nosed anti-gambling statutes. Would you like to receive our daily news? One day, Keeton had accidentally left his cell phone in the office of defense attorney Bob Ritchie, who answered it when it rang, according to a transcript of the hearing. The TBI investigated the incident. Has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in stolen property with his brother, Jarrod Taylor, and former Deputy Larry Joe Dodgin. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Roblero also says he was able to identify the driver of the patrol car from a photo at the Newport Police Department as well as the car itself. Nonetheless, many corrupt officers were open with him about their dealings, the agent explains. Moore says that Black will be allowed to present to him any "evidence he may have on his own behalf, which he has not had opportunity to present." Their plea bargains leave only six defendants awaiting trial on the misdemeanor charges, and their cases are expected to go before a Cocke County jury Aug. 30. (See Patrick Taylor's sentencing memo). May 21: An old building in Newport that was converted into an illegal gambling hall is raided by state and local authorities, says Cocke County District Attorney Jimmy Dunn. April 26: Deputy Dodgin meets with the undercover FBI agent and they drive to Asheville, N.C. for lunch. Smith also accuses the ex-lawman of all manner of corruption, including crimes involving "narcotics, illegal gambling, alcohol violations, possibly even civil-rights violations. Longtime Sheriff D.C. Ramsey, a Republican, resigned after it was disclosed in early 2006 that he was a target of an FBI inquiry into illegal gambling operations involving video poker machines and cockfighting. His status as a state employee isnt immediately clear. Our real estate professionals become their best when they are given ample . "I personally have a problem with the federal government coming in and overseeing what the states do" about cockfighting, Davis says. He faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. City Administrator Brad Moffitt later says he was "somewhat" surprised by the board's decision. He talks to FBI all the time. July 27: The international Fraternal Order of Eagles organization announces that it is investigating the Del Rio lodge, after the News Sentinel presents the group with findings derived from public records detailing the club's membership. Enter today >>, iPhone App | Android App | iPad App | Kindle Fire | Storm Shield (iPhone / Android). April 11: Jarrod Taylor agrees to plead guilty to one count of the two-count stolen property indictment. A K-9 officer flushed out Eric Campbell, 47, hiding below under a blanket. May 22: Derrick Cureton, who is now 21, is sentenced by Judge Greer to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ellison and Misty Sams, a young woman from Parrottsville, are seriously injured several hours later in a wreck on Asheville Highway. Each state should decide the punishment for involvement in illegal rooster fights, Davis, R-Johnson City, says in an interview. Also prior to donning the uniform of a deputy, Taylor worked for Lovell Amusements, a company that operated as a front for illegal video poker machines that were installed in bars and other businesses. He also tells the other defendants that federal charges could be pending against other people who were snared during the Del Rio raid. At one point, he holds up a photograph of an unshaven Roblero and then shows a picture of the officers, saying, "If you see somebody in a dark alley that looks like this, then you'd better hope you also see so mebody who looks like that." The officers will remain on the payroll, he says, until they use up accumulated sick leave and comp time. Judge Charles Neese scolds them, saying: "You have violated the same law you were sworn to uphold and for that you must be punished." Mark Ramsey's birthday is 09/07/1960 and is 62 years old. Sheldon elicits testimony from Webb that he had been working with the FBI for an indeterminate period of time although he had first indicated his involvement with the probe began around the time he left the Newport agency. Be Proactive. He resigned shortly after his arrest; sentenced to 2 years in prison. The two can be seen together most of the time in . Here, we are letting the cat out the bag. He agrees to cooperate with federal authorities who are investigating a wide range of criminal activity in Cocke County. Don't victimize your children and then come into this court and say 'give me a break because my children have been victimized'. It was great to be able to go to one Dr for most of my healthcare needs. Feb. 20: Bredesen campaign spokesman Will Pinkston announces that all campaign contributions received from Harold Grooms, Kenneth Frazier and H-1 Auto Parts will be returned. The file indicates that Smith had no record of disciplinary problems prior to his arrest. "Shepherd, Jarrod Taylor, and others would visit the locations, usually weekly, to take the money from the machines and pay the premises owner/operator their share of the take. In Jones' case, prosecutors note that Jones "has been involved in criminal activity all of his adult life." Records show the store is being purchased with $25,000 of Patricia Taylor's money along with a $350,000 loan from National Bank of Tennessee in Newport. Almany is accused of operating the Sportsmans Club along with his brother, Lee Emory Almany. As the 1960s drew to a close, many Cocke County residents were becoming fed up with lawlessness and began taking steps to curb it. CI-2 told (ATF Agent) Gillette that Grooms had told him that he utilized hydraulic presses to make 13 kilograms out of 10 kilograms. Dec. 13: Judge Hooper abolishes the Cocke County Jail's trusty program after learning that "70 percent of our courthouse trustys tested positive for marijuana and opiates." PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. During closing arguments, the race of the alleged victims takes center stage as the officers' attorneys seek to discredit the mens' testimony by pointing out the numerous illegal activities they have engaged in by sneaking into the United States, securing fake documentation for employment and other acts of dishonesty. The business is operated by Raymond Hawk, who ran the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post #4350 before it moved to the Del Rio location in 2000. Aug. 11: A 17-year-old boy who is a neighbor of the 15-year-old girl is run down by a car in Vestal that swerves to hit him as he stands in front of his grandmother's house. Stinson is listed as a witness for O'Dell in the suit but doesn't testify because he is incarcerated. Sentencing is scheduled for July 24, and their attorneys indicate they plan to appeal the verdict. Greer cannot, under court rules, comment on the case so the exact nature of Moncier's alleged misbehavior is not known. Assistant District Attorney Tracy Stone says the case against one man charged with being a participant, Gerald Allen II of Morganton, N.C., will be prosecuted by federal authorities. The indictment stems from the May 17 transaction with Larry Joe Dodgin, and the Taylor brothers are released on their own recognizance by U.S. Magistrate Judge Inman after their initial appearance. August: Cocke County Law Director Phil Owens, former referee for the Cocke County Juvenile Court and a former assistant district attorney, is indicted by a federal grand jury along with four other men on a charge of conspiring to distribute cocaine. Davidson." Their attorneys argue that they haven't been convicted of any crimes and indicate the evidence against the officers may turn out to be weak. The TV series share a story of Moonshiners who have been in the United States since the 1790s. The government's first witness is EMT Michael Gray, who repeats his earlier testimony that he witnessed the alleged traffic stop from an ambulance station's parking lot. "Not only was it reasonable for Mr. (Neil) Smith to dispatch the FBI, he would have been derelict in his duty if he didn't," Inman says. Mark Ramsey in Tennessee. U.S. Magistrate Judge Inman grants Roach's request to be allowed to possess firearms without restrictions. Greer also says that, unlike the eight law enforcement officers who have been arrested in the Rose Thorn probe, Taylor didn't hold a position of public trust. Roblero insists that he's only gone by one alias to obtain employment since entering the U.S., an assertion that paves the way for a heated round of cross-examination. (Read the story "No verdict yet in Newport shakedown triall" ), Feb. 8: After about nine hours of deliberation, jurors acquit Roach and Sheldon of the felony civil rights conspiracy charge but fail to reach a verdict on the remaining two counts, which are misdemeanors. Your details were sent successfully! He is ashamed of what he has done, to lose the confidence of the people of Cocke County that believed in him and trusted in him." "No one requested them to." Mark Byrd ; Mark . She concludes her letter by saying: "In my life's experience, the path through family life is riddled with mistakes, occasional terrors, and many blessings. We won't share it with anyone else. Sheldon also argues for the suppression of taped conversations involving her client, saying that some of the discussions were recorded after Black had been charged and he had retained her services. This Moonshiner cast spent his 20s mastering the craft. On that date, Bacon deputizes an impromptu posse and decides to "clean up" a number of taverns. Webb says he was a reserve Cocke County deputy at the time of the accident and explains that he has since been forced to resign from his position at the Pigeon Forge Police Department due to the false statements he initially made in the case. Jan. 13: Maurice Shults, a Newport police detective and narcotics investigator, is appointed Newport police chief. Deputy Black is arraigned and a trial date is set for Dec. 21. She also says that jurors reached a "compromise verdict" and reiterates her position that the jury should have published their verdict the previous day. He also says the board recommended that Shults receive back pay and the city hasn't decided whether to appeal the board's decision. "You have victimized those children . His final message to the public seems to bear that out. Feb. 15: Michael and Alma Maynard sell the Del Rio Cockfighting Pit to fellow Eagles club member Donald Poteat and his wife, Donna, for $100,000. One of Mr. Suttons daughters, a surgeon in Alaska, has sued his widow over the rights to his book. Their names are George C Ramsey and Joseph M Ramsey.It costs $730 per month to rent two bedrooms in the zip code 37821, according to HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research. Subject. Also, FBI tapes show that Stinson had discussed killing Bacon with Paul Allen when Bacon ran against Stinson in the 1982 Republican primary. Don't knowingly lie about anyone "At its core, this case is about lying and getting other people to lie for you," Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Smith says in his opening statement. Signup today! That's like a law?" Jan. 18: FBI agent Lane Rushing applies to U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis H. Inman in Greeneville to hide a mobile tracking device on a green Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan operated by Jarrod Taylor, who is the brother of sheriff's department Chief Deputy Patrick Taylor. The ban on spirits meant there was a lot of cash to be made for bar owners who offered illicit moonshine or whiskey on the side, and having a few working girls on hand only raised the profit margins that much higher. The man allegedly comes to their home and threatens to harm the girl if she doesn't leave with him, tells her he has "a score to settle" and says that he's carrying a pistol. Mark Ramsey is a well-known unscripted TV star who appears on the Discovery Channel's reality show " Moonshiners .". His arrest, we are letting the cat out the bag Del Rio raid such as professional boxing or football... Allen when Bacon ran against Stinson in the 1982 Republican primary, Shults the. 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