July 17: Albert Shepherd, 51, who has owned Newport Games on North Street in Newport since at least 1997, pleads guilty in federal court in Greeneville to a one-count information charging him with conducting an illegal gambling business in which five or more persons were involved. The plane is inspected by U.S. Customs investigators who seize the drugs and Walker agrees to cooperate with authorities. Jan. 22, 2007: Donald and Donna Poteat appear in federal court in Greeneville along with Michael Maynard to plead guilty to charges arising from the Del Rio Cockfighting Pit. See a problem? position Listed on 2023-03-01. Patrick Sheldon, 34, is ordered to spend two months in jail and two years on probation. Dec. 22: Chief Deputy Patrick Taylor, 39, and his brother, Jarrod Taylor, 34, are arrested on a two-count federal indictment charging them with conspiring to traffic in stolen goods and "aiding and abetting" each other in trafficking in what they believed to be stolen goods. All of my family members go see him (myself 51, wife 44, step mother 65, & father 75), A physician who specializes in the care and treatment of kidney disease.Nephrology requires additional training to become an expert with advanced skills. July 11: All six Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers stationed in Cocke County are suspended after an internal probe allegedly turns up evidence of misconduct. As the fallout from Stinson's arrest is still settling, former deputy Ray O'Dell wins a hefty settlement from Constable Bacon in federal court. of cocaine every 2 days to Mr. "At this point, they were not trusting of law enforcement in general," King says. Marshals Service and is the primary holding facility for federal inmates in the Middle East Tennessee region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Smith concedes that one of the alleged victims admitted using someone else's identification to get a job. April 5: U.S. Magistrate Judge Inman rules that cockfighting is a form of illegal gambling under state law, setting back a request by the five Cocke County defendants to have their gambling indictment dismissed. Patrick Sheldon, (Read the statements that Sgts. They're not gonna get me that easy. Mr. Gunter has demanded a speedy trial and will look forward to meeting these accusations in court. April 27: State Rep. Ronnie Davis of Newport, who served in the Legislature for 18 years, is sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy, extortion and illegal possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Cash, guns, and assorted types of gambling paraphernalia were seized from the property at 571 West Broadway, which is in the West End section of Newport. 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. Jonathan Morgan's house and tells him to "keep your story. Although federal prosecutors have now agreed not to prosecute Swanson for the possible crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm, it appears that the FBI has launched an investigation into "other alleged" acts of Swanson, the defense team says. Roach and Assistant Chief Don Ball. Has pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic in stolen property with his brother, Jarrod Taylor, and former Deputy Larry Joe Dodgin. May 10: Darrell Hayes, a former Cocke County jailer and West End Package Store employee, is arrested by the FBI on a one-count indictment charging him with violating the civil rights of an inmate, Gregory P. Brown, by beating him in 2003. I'm trying to be very straightforward, as straightforward as I can about it. Smith, however, argues that Vassar was actually convicted of the larger conspiracy involving Dewey Lynn Phillips and others, which could add decades of prison time to his sentence because of the multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine involved. or anything. Try these dishes out, and think of Fireman Markand Enjoy! Bake or deep fry tots per directions until very crispy outside. Assistant Fire Chief Mark Ramsey retirement ceremony after 40 years of service with the Newport Fire Department. He admits that he left a business card that identified him as a sheriff's department sergeant although he had left the agency several months earlier in a dispute over claims that he overcharged the county. Heat greens in microwave until hot, and stir in with grits mixture. June 17: Newport police seize four illegal gambling machines from a bar on West Broadway along with nearly $1,300 in cash. This means, she says, that there is a danger of jurors reaching a "compromise verdict." Jurors hear several recordings in which Black stressed to Morgan and Webb the importance of not changing their testimony in light of the FBI's investigation into the wreck. This picture was taken at the Del Rio Cockfighting Pit in 1973. I looked at it sort of like some people would look at a bottle of champagne." Feb. 3: Roblero concludes his testimony, often responding with "I don't know" or "It's been a while" as defense attorneys hammer him with questions about the alleged incident and his criminal history. She also says that Sheldon has a right to interview the jurors, who in turn have "the First Amendment right to participate if they wish." Business Services. The agent shows Dodgin the merchandise, which is in the rear compartment of the agent's vehicle, and then gives Dodgin the keys. Gunter's attorneys argued that prosecutors had only produced two witnesses to testify as to Gunter's alleged involvement: Dewey Lynn Phillips and his wife, Patsy Phillips. Each state should decide the punishment for involvement in illegal rooster fights, Davis, R-Johnson City, says in an interview. According to the new indictment, Black "did knowingly attempt to corruptly persuade and to engage in misleading conduct toward Jonathan Morgan by telling Morgan keep your story. Over the coming decades, District Attorney General Al Schmutzer uses a number of strategies to reign in vice crimes in Cocke County, including the use of padlock orders to force bars out of business and numerous raids by state law enforcement agents. In addition to cockfights and illegal betting on the matches, the informant sees a high-stakes card game and a concession stand that employs several women selling beer. They won't be allowed to return to work until their cases are resolved, he says. I did not expect you to come in here and say you're guilty of these offenses and say you're sorry. 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. Sept. 29: Federal prosecutors move to postpone Oct. 17 sentencing hearings for Dodgin and Jones, saying that the "investigations and prosecutions in which Dodgin is cooperating or may cooperate will not be completed until January 2006 at the earliest." More. "Notice is also given that the court may consider an order prohibiting interviews with jurors or publication of news articles that report on the internal deliberative processes of the prior jury as necessary to protect the constitutional rights of the defendants to a fair trial," writes Greer, who also blocks Roach's attempt to interview the jurors in a separate order. DA Schmutzer says that no criminal laws were broken when the 2002 general election records were destroyed. (Read the story "Cocke County sheriff resigns"). Bills in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate would make it a felony, rather than the current misdemeanor offense, for interstate transportation of any animals for fighting purposes or transporting cockfighting weapons the sharp blades attached to birds' legs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Smith says a series of Tennessee court decisions that began in the 1840s define cockfighting as gambling and that state law favors the position that it's a game of chance rather than skill. (View the plea agreements for: Jarrod M. Taylor and Patrick Allen Taylor. If you have a misdemeanor, rather than a felony offense, you become a magnet for interstate trafficking. top of page. Chamber of Commerce Director. 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. Greer, however, says he is troubled by the recommendation because "the illegal conduct was widespread and carried on over a long period of time." We identified 144 records related to "Mark Ramsey" in the state of Tennessee. As for the allegations themselves, Moncier says: "It is difficult to defend against accusations made by secret people. "Certainly, public corruption is a number one priority for this division and divisions around the country," Mueller says. Smith says that federal authorities learned on Nov. 17 that a former Cocke County sheriff's employee and Spanish translator, Pedro "Pete" Galvez, and Brian Hackett, an employee of the Federal Defender Services of East Tennessee (the public defender service which is representing Roach) had gone to the Newport home of one of the alleged victims, Wilder Gomez Roblero. Fans of the show have talked about seeing Eric Maness wife, accompanying him in those events. Gunter's attorneys, Wade Davies and Stephen Ross Johnson, filed a motion for acquittal during the trial which is rejected by Judge Greer. Use the 'Report' link on Medical tests show that his heart problems don't require surgery and can be treated with medication, according to McCarter. Moncier doesn't return a call seeking comment and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Smith declines to comment. She also says that jurors reached a "compromise verdict" and reiterates her position that the jury should have published their verdict the previous day. The FBI makes tapes of the men discussing how they can guard future shipments and involve other deputies in the scheme. Full Time. 3. White is a prisoner at the Cocke County Jail, where he has been serving time for a probation violation since Sept. 1. "As a result of his charges, Mr. Shepherd has closed down his former business, Newport Games, and is no longer involved in the amusement/game industry." Roblero's criminal history includes charges for traffic violations and driving under the influence, but the records don't indicate if he was ever convicted of the offenses. It also contains a restaurant and gift shop that sells T-shirts, caps, belt buckles and other types of memorabilia. The event was a Member Mingle hosted by the Cocke County Partnership. Ramsey, who is free on bond pending appeal, is charged with pistol-whipping a diner operator in Del Rio when the man protested the confiscation of a customer's vehicle. Aug. 24: Former Cocke County jailer Darrell Hayes is acquitted by a jury in federal court in Greeneville following a two-day trial. Inman cites Vassar's criminal history and notes that the FBI has information that he "was interested in hiring a hit man to kill another individual immediately prior to the" alleged 2002 drug transaction. Belva King is the daughter of Lila King, who reportedly co-owns the business where the girl was taken to work. Outside the courtroom, Patrick Taylor says he can't discuss the allegations because he has signed an agreement with the government that prohibits him from discussing the case prior to its resolution. On Jan. 16, Banks allegedly told CI-1 that "he, Lancaster and Grooms would take one-third out of each kilogram and re-rock' the cocaine. Together with his wife, Digger Manes has a son. Cocke County Sheriff's Department Deputy Larry Joe Dodgin. Lynn Ramsey, IOM. Former Newport officer Derrick Webb is forced to resign from the Pigeon Forge Police Department following media reports about his involvement in the federal probe. July 12: The country's largest animal protection group asks the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association. He is on administrative leave without pay; sentenced to two months in prison. The notes also make references to Ralph "Duck" Moore and others but provide no details as to how they are connected to the case. "In addition to legitimate amusement machines, Newport Games also placed video poker machines in over ten bars, restaurants, and markets in Cocke County and surrounding counties," according to court documents. When Morgan takes the stand, however, he denies that the FBI had ever promised to support him as sheriff. Mark Byrd ; Mark . Patricia Taylor, who is director of the Cocke County Emergency Communication District E-911, complies with state rules and resigns from her post as a government official when the license is granted. Greer then files an order replacing Sheldon with attorney Robert B. Dickert. Dr. Peter Donald Sershon, MD . An employee, Justin Tamper, later filed an assault charge against Moncier, alleging the attorney elbowed him when Tamper tried to grab back a paper the attorney had snatched from a counter to record a customer service number. "What the government has done is manipulate the guideline sentences," Moncier says. He went from a person that went to work each and every day to a person that did not get out of the house and gained 30 (pounds) the first 3 months. He then asks how that scenario differs from a cockfight. Share your stories of the historic athletics center before its upcoming demolition. Popcorn Said it begins, and the rest is unfit to print. David Crum, however, says that federal authorities still have all of the pertinent documents. Curtis Banks, Bill Banks and Kenny Holt had entered guilty pleas before trial, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Smith. 4bd. At the heart of the investigation thus far have been allegations of corruption in the Cocke County Sheriff's Department, but a major fund-raiser for Gov. There's no fault to be placed on the government.". Dunn says that several additional suspects were indicted in connection with the probe into the club and their names will be made public once theyve been arrested. Shortly before the trial, however, Swanson's handgun permit was revoked after Smith sent a letter to the Tennessee Department of Safety asserting that his "firearm rights could not have been restored by a state court," records show. Jarrod Taylor won't be allowed to possess a firearm while on pre-trial release, Inman rules, while Patrick Taylor will be allowed to carry a gun while on duty but has to surrender his passport. "Banks also told CI-1 that Grooms was doing the same thing, 're-rocking,' with the 4 kilograms of cocaine that he was purchasing. Six months of that sentence will be spent on home confinement, Greer rules, although Taylor will be allowed to leave home to go to work or take part in pre-approved activities with his young daughter. Marshals Service. Moncier denies the charge. The court rules that numerous legal errors were made in the case, mainly in the category of jury instructions. Smith also questions Almony about whether his testimony poses a conflict of interest since he also works for the Cocke County Public Defender's Office and represents clients who have been arrested by the sheriff's department. All seven suspects eventually plead guilty to various offenses. William Todd Webb of Sevierville is seeking $25,000 in compensatory damages and additional punitive damages to be "determined by a jury," according to the complaint. CI-1 asked what the cocaine would look like once CI-1 received it back from Lancaster. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Cocke County Shrine Club in care of Jimmy Clark or to the organization of your choice. Hayes was first hired as a part-time jailer in 2002 and became a full-time corrections officer the next year. "Hicks had purportedly purchased the truck as salvage from London Auto Sales, London, Kentucky, in November 2001. Get Mark W Ramsey can be contacted at (423) 623-3472. Pete Moore and David Latham are charged with felony assault. Also indicted is Jason Grooms, who is still facing a marijuana charge from the January 19 traffic stop. View Profile . Rockvale (1) Hilham (1) Columbia (1) Kodak (1) Knoxville (1) Newport (1) Springfield (1) Unicoi (1) Ooltewah (1) Nashville (1) Morristown (1) Most Popular in Mark. According to Smith, Taylor was a marijuana and cocaine dealer before joining the Cocke County Sheriff's Department in 1996. July 10: U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer orders former Cocke County Deputy John Wayne "Johnny" Black to spend two years in federal prison for perjury and witness tampering. (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. Four people are charged with the crime, one is convicted. James W. "Jimmy" Roach, Newport Police Department Donald Poteat and Maynard plead guilty to conducting an illegal gambling operation, a felony that carries a potential 5-year prison term, as well as misdemeanor charges of sponsoring or exhibiting animals in an animal fighting venture. Cocaine dealer before joining the Cocke County jail, where he has been serving time for a probation since... The alleged victims admitted using mark ramsey newport, tn else 's identification to get a job inmates. In prison have talked about seeing Eric Maness wife, Digger Manes has a son to Smith, was! Get Mark W Ramsey can be contacted at ( 423 ) 623-3472,. 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