Category: News

Almost two years ago the new Coffee County Jail opened and then became state certified and now another jail in a nearby county jail is about to be certified for the first time in 26 years.
The old jail on the mountain in Grundy County was 43 years old and had aged over time and the new jail opened late last year.
Grundy County Sheriff Clint Shrum called the conditions inside the old jail deplorable.
The old jail held only 34 inmates, the new $7 (M) jail holds 114.

Former Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold entered a guilty plea to the wire fraud, honest services fraud and extortion charges against him Wednesday morning.
The charges stem from the sale of e-cigarettes inside the Rutherford County jail. Arnold listed the company as a source of income.
Each count carries a sentence of five to 20 years and $250,000 fine each.
Before the judge accepted his guilty plea, Arnold filed a motion earlier Wednesday morning asking to be released from jail and stay with his Mother until his sentencing. The judge denied that request and decided Arnold must stay in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 8.

A man with a Decherd, TN address has not been seen in nearly two months. He was last seen in Manchester.
Justin Zeigler worked the Dollar Tree in Manchester and picked up his paycheck from the store on Nov. 20.
His Mother says the last time she heard from him was on Nov 19, 2016.
According to his family Justin was known to use inhalants from spray cans, which is one reason why his mother fears that he could be deceased. However, he was described as a good guy who simply had a bad habit.
On November 20, authorities said Zeigler’s phone was pinged in both Tullahoma and Franklin County.
He was last seen wearing dark pants and a dark-colored shirt. He is a white male 5 foot 9 inches tall, 215 lbs., has brown hair, blue eyes. He has tattoos and when last seen both ears were pierced and an eyebrow ring.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Investigator Bryan Elderidge with Manchester Police at 931-728-2099.

Coffee County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an ongoing burglary investigation that occurred recently in Hillsboro.
Some arrests have made, but 2 other subjects are being sought.
The two men were last seen in Marion County, TN at a Motel 6.
If you have any information about these two men or you can identify them please contact the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department at 931-570-4409 or 570-4410, your call can remain anonymous. As always the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department thanks the public for its help and support.

We have a follow-up to a story we brought you on Monday.
A routine traffic stop on Interstate 24 by the Tennessee Highway Patrol led to the discovery of a large amount of methamphetamine and more.
Highway patrolmen took two subjects into custody late Sunday morning after they found a little over 2 pounds of meth. The value of the drug can range from $9,500-$16,000 per pound. Also found was an undisclosed amount of cash, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a prescription drug.
Two unnamed subjects have now been identified as William Travis Malone age 35 of Curtis Ave Manchester and Angelea Nicole Vallem age 41 of Estes St Smithville. Malone faces charges of, driving on revoked suspended license, unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities, 2 counts of simple possession/casual exchange, manufacturing delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance and driving while in possession of methamphetamine. His bond is $134,000. Malone’s driving on revoked court date 2-28-17 and the other charges on 3-28-17.
Vallem was charged with, unlawful drug paraphernalia uses and activities, 2 counts of simple possession/casual exchange and manufacturing delivering/selling/possession of a controlled substance. Her bond was lowered from our previous story to $102,500. She is scheduled for court on 3-28-17.

On Friday (January 13th 2017) Manchester Police Officer Dustan Foster stopped a man on McArthur Street in Manchester for having prior knowledge that the man was not to be operating a motor vehicle. A check of David Andrew Melton’s driver’s license showed it to be revoked/suspended 9th offense and habitual motor offender 3rd offense.
Melton age 44 of Shelly Rd, Manchester was arrested for his 8th offense on December 29, 2016.
His bond was set at $40,000 and Malone’s court date for his most current charges is Feb 28, 2017.

Former Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold is expected to enter a guilty plea as part of a deal with federal prosecutors.
A hearing in federal court has been scheduled for Wednesday. In addition, former jail administrator Joe Russell and Arnold’s uncle John Vanderveer are expected to reach plea deals as well.
NewsChannel 5 TV is reporting Arnold’s deal is expected to mean five-to-10 years in a federal prison. However, the judge must approve any arrangement made between Arnold’s attorney and prosecutors. (WGNS)

Last week a Tennessee Republican Rep. Sheila Butt of Columbia introduced legislation seeking to ban the use of food stamps to buy items without nutritional value. However, due to ongoing discussions regarding this very issue in the newly GOP controlled federal government under an incoming Trump administration, Butt is pulling the legislation in hopes of federal action.
Since filing HB43, Butt noted the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 defines eligible food as:
“Any food or food product for home consumption and also includes seeds and plants which produce food for consumption by SNAP households. The Act precludes the following items from being purchased with SNAP benefits: alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, hot food and any food sold for on-premises consumption. Nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, medicines and vitamins, household supplies, grooming items, and cosmetics, also are ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.
Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream are food items and are therefore eligible items, as is steak and bakery cakes.

Two people are dead and another woman is in the hospital after an incident in Cannon County Saturday night.
It does not immediately appear the women were shot, but instead injured with another type of weapon.
The TBI reported that 42-year-old David Wooten died from a gunshot wound. Officials also say 19-year-old Elizabeth Clement and 28-year-old Laura Jastre suffered serious injuries and were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Clement died Sunday night from her injuries.
No arrests have been made for the crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.