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Memphis Man Arrested after Attempting to Get Contraband Into the Coffee County Jail
Karl E Parson intake photo provided by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department.
After receiving a call from Sherrill, Coffee County Deputy Stephen Sharketti observed the Silver Chrysler 4 door and stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Volunteer Parkway and Parktower RD. Investigator Sherrill arrived and clearly identified the subject, Karl Edward Parson Jr. as being the trespasser.
The subject was read and explained Miranda rights and voluntarily provided a verbal statement. According to the deputy’s report, Parson acknowledged he had been on CCSD property and had passed a package containing tobacco through the fence area that was attached to a string line. The man stated the string was tied to a bar of soap and he in turn attached the package to it. Parson was placed into custody and searched and was asked if he was in possession of any weapons or drugs. He said he did not have anything on him. Parson was then transported to the Coffee County Jail. The report goes on to say that before entering the facility he was again asked if he was in possession of any weapons or drugs. He again stated “no”. He was searched again at the jail and a corrections officer was able to find deep in Parson’s front pant pocket, two small brown cigarette ends (roaches) with a green leafy substance inside. After discovering the roaches, Sharketti says he again asked the subject if he had any other drugs and he again stated “no”. As the search continued Parson removed his socks, it was then that a small plastic baggie with a white powdery substance was found. The deputy’s report says the substance weighed at .9 grams and field tested positive as cocaine based.
Karl E Parson, age 28 of Memphis was charged with aggravated criminal trespass and contraband in a penal institution. His bond was set at $35,000 and has a court date of December 14.
Bank Scam Number 2 This Week
We have another bank scam to report. Some customers of Coffee County Bank in Manchester received a text message on Thursday that their bank account number needed to be verified. Coffee County Bank President Rush Bricken says that this is a scam and the bank did not send it.
Please be aware that a “phishing” scam is being texted to many people in our area. Phishing is a means to trick a user into visiting a fraudulent website, usually through a bogus link in an email or text message. The current scam targets users by sending texts that appear to be from various banks (some bogus) such a “Legends Bank of Nashville and others.” Coffee County Bank will never send you a text, email or letter asking for your account numbers, user names, passwords, or Social Security number.
If you have any questions about this scam or the other scam we reported earlier this week please call your personal banking institution.
Hunting Accident Has Man Facing Homicide Charge
Robin Smartt, Jr
In September a deadly hunting accident was reported in Grundy County and an investigation began.
44-year-old Chad Killian was found with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Killian was taken to the hospital and later died from his injuries.
45-year-old Robin Smartt, Jr told Grundy County deputies Killian was shot during a hunting accident.
A grand jury has now indicted Smartt in connection with the fatal shooting of Killian.
The case was presented by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigators.
Smartt was indicted on a count of reckless homicide and possession of a firearm during a dangerous crime. A bond will be set in open court on Nov. 20.
Prison Administrators Want to Give Employees Bonus Money
Tennessee prison administrators plan to pay current officers a $1,000 bonus before the end of the year as part of an effort to bolster retention efforts.
The Tennessean reports that it obtained a staff memo sent Tuesday by Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Derrick Schofield to announce the decision. The move affects 3,300 officers, representing a possible $3.3 million price tag.
Schofield writes in the memo that the bonus is a one-time payment and is meant to show the department’s appreciation for its correctional officers and other employees.
Tennessee State Employees Association President Bryan Merritt lauded the bonuses, but says they likely won’t be enough to stop officers from walking out the door.
Unclaimed Property Back With Rightful Owners
The state Treasury Department says it returned $40 million of unclaimed property to its rightful owners this past fiscal year.
Unclaimed property in this case does not refer to physical items but to money that has been turned over to the state by businesses and organizations that cannot locate the rightful owners. It includes stocks, bonds, gift certificates, checks, unclaimed wages, refunds and life insurance annuities.
The amount of returned property last fiscal year was a 53 percent increase over the year prior. The Treasury Department attributes the increase to a website that allows visitors to search their names and fill out claims online.
The department currently has $725 million in unclaimed property. Claiming property is free, and there is no time limit.
More information is available at ClaimItTN.gov.
11/14/15 — Dr. Joseph Richard Thomasson
Dr. Joseph Richard Thomasson, Jr., of Tullahoma, passed this life on
Wednesday, November 11th, 2015 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga
at the age of 63. Dr. Thomasson was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the
late Joseph Richard and Jean Wallace Thomasson Sr. He obtained his BS
Degree at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, and
went on to attend Medical School at the University of Tennessee Memphis.
He served his family practice residency in Huntsville, Alabama and began
his practice in Tullahoma on October 15th, 1984. Dr. Thomasson was a
beloved family physician in Tullahoma to many people over his 31 of
practice. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma
and was active in Boy Scouts his whole life, achieving its highest honor
of Eagle Scout. He continued in scouting life with his sons and completed
two treks, one to Philmont Scout Ranch and one at Sea Base in Florida as
an adult leader. Dr. Thomasson, or Rich as he was known to many, loved
sailing, snow skiing, hiking and biking, and rode several years in the
Tour de Cure for diabetes. He was also a proud supporter of the Tennessee
Titans through even through the worst seasons. Rich had many cullinary
passions, ranging from the hottest of hot sauces to the pursuit of the
perfect wine pairing. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in
death by one daughter-in-law, Kelly Overcast. Dr. Thomasson is survived
by his wife, Marie Thomasson of Tullahoma; four sons, David Overcast and
his wife Brandie of Winchester, Dan Overcast and his wife Jennie of
Tullahoma, Joseph Thomasson and his wife Kimberley of Tullahoma and Mark
Thomasson and his wife Cori of Estill Springs; two brothers, David
Thomasson and his wife Sandi of Kingsport and Tim Thomasson and his wife
Beverly of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two sisters, Edie Oliver and her
husband Cortney of Marietta, Georgia and Millie Twiggs and her husband
David of Lenoir City, Tennessee; and four grandchildren, Nicholas
Overcast, Sophia, Richard IV, and Olivia Thomasson. Visitation for Dr.
Thomasson will be held on Saturday, November 14th, 2015 at Kilgore
Funeral Home from 1:00-5:00pm. A private interment will take place at a
later date. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to Adopt A Golden Birmingham, P.O. Box 361753, Birmingham, Alabama 35236
or at www.adoptagoldenbirmingham.com or to Partner’s For Healing, 109
West Blackwell Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388.
Kilgore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
11/14/15 — Troy Lyn Elkins
Troy Lyn Elkins, age 45 of Normandy, passed away Tuesday November 10, 2015. Troy’s journey ended after two long, hard fought weeks in the intensive care unit at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Troy was born March 20, 1970 just eleven minutes after his identical twin Roy. After 45 years of being inseparable, Troy’s passing leaves Roy with a special level of grief and his sister, Becky with a broken heart. Working in construction since a teenager, Troy was a skilled and talented carpenter, capable of building and fixing anything, for those privileged to know him, we will miss his smile, tender heart and easy going nature.
Troy is survived by his brother Roy Elkins and his sister Becky Kelly. He is preceded in death by his wife Sheri Tipps Elkins; mother Ann Prince Elkins; father Raymond Thomas Elkins; grandmother Ollivene Prince; grandfather Cecil Prince.
The family will receive friends Saturday November 14, 2015 from 10:00am-12:00pm with a funeral service to be conducted at 12:00pm with Pastor Phillip Moody officiating. The internment will follow at Smith Chapel Cemetery in Lynchburg, TN.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the Elkins family
11/14/15 — David Emil Albert Reichenau
David Emil Albert Reichenau of Tullahoma passed this life on Tuesday,
November 10th, 2015 at his home at the age of 77. David was born in
Fredericksburg, TX to the late Hubert and Edna Herbert Reichenau. He
received his Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from The
University of Texas and he remained a proud and faithful alumni all of
his life. During his life David worked at AEDC for 40 years where he
worked on a large variety of aircraft specializing in ejection seat
technology. David was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, and Lakewood
Golf and Country Club where he spent much of his time and had many
friends. He is remembered by his family as a loving husband, a proud
father, and a great friend to many. In addition to his parents, David is
preceded in death by one brother, Douglas Reichenau. He is survived by
his beloved wife Sara Willis Reichenau of Tullahoma; two sons, David
Reichenau and his wife Elizabeth of Memphis, and Ben Reichenau and his
wife Kendra of Minn!
eapolis, MN; and two grandchildren, Peyton and Lincoln Reichenau. All of
David’s family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his
life at Lakewood Golf and Country Club on Saturday, November 14th from
3:00-5:00pm with Rev. Jim Zidan officiating. In lieu of flowers, the
family asks that donations in David’s memory be made to Hospice
Compassus.
Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
11/11/15 — Ruby May Martin Riggan
Ruby May Martin Riggan, 77, passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at her home.
She was a native of Coffee Co., Tennessee.
She is survived by husband: Daniel Riggan of Woodbury; her children:
Steve Martin of Woodbury, Dennis Martin of Woodbury and Tracy (Ronnie)
Blackburn of Manchester; Grandchildren: Amber (Caleb) Milligan, Erica
Martin and Tyler Martin all of Woodbury, Clint Gaultney and Travis
(Kayla) Blackburn both of Manchester; Step Grandchildren: Amy Blackburn
of Manchester and Greg Blackburn of Nashville; 4 great grandchildren:
Ava, Paislee, Kendra and Tripp; Siblings: Dorothy Stacey of Woodbury,
Wayne (Brenda) Robinson of Murfreesboro, Sandra (Bob) Murphy of
Manchester, Roger (Shirley) Robinson of Murfreesboro.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Will & Lillian Spenser Robinson
and her son, Doug Martin.
A member of the Victory in Jesus Church at Living Springs, she was a cook
at Cannon Co. Jail and a seamstress.
Funeral services will be 11 am Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in the Chapel
of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Sydney Parham officiating. Interment
will follow in the Jernigan Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be
from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM Tuesday, November 10, 2015.
ARRANGEMENTS BY WOODBURY FUNERAL HOME
11/11/15
Birthdays:
Rick Turney, 59 — Pizza Winner!
Ralph Duke
Zachary Rogers
Anniversaries:
Jeremy & Ashley Thompson, 5