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In other regional news
State Auditor Crit Luallen released two audits of Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge, finding a total deficit of more than $92,000 in office accounts both of which have been referred to the FBI for further review. In June, Luallen referred five audits of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office to the FBI due to a deficit of $124,483. The current total deficit in the sheriff’s office is $216,498. Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge said in a statement that the audits have the same mistakes as the previous audits because nothing was changed until the office was made aware of the mistakes in around July of 2009. Sheriff Hodge said that he requested the last audit be referred to the FBI because he felt the investigation was not fair, because it was done by a former State Police investigator. Along with the FBI, the ATF is now leading another investigation into a burglary reported at the sheriff’s office. According to the ATF, 78 guns are missing from the sheriff’s office. It is not known if the 78 guns were taken during an alleged burglary or if they are simply “unaccounted for”.
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The United States Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration announcing that four people charged with drug manufacturing have pled guilty. Rodney Bishop of London, Edward Wagers of Corbin, and Jordan Smith and Charles Jones, both of Barbourville, pleaded guilty to participating in a methamphetamine conspiracy in Knox and Laurel counties. The conspiracy started in January 2007 and continued through early 2009. All four also admitted that they obtained pseudoephedrine to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Bishop admitted that he manufactured methamphetamine, while Wagers, Smith and Jones admitted that they aided others by overseeing and transporting materials to be used in the course of the conspiracy. All four defendants are currently scheduled to appear for sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in London on June 6.
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A man accused of threatening Laverne Seay with a knife before stealing her car and purse, has turned himself in at the Knox County Detention Center. 34 year old Jonathon t. Rickett was wanted on robbery, theft and wanton endangerment charges stemming from an investigation by Corbin Police on Feb. 19th at the Holiday Motel. Corbin Police have tried multiple times to serve the arrest warrant on Rickett but were unable to locate him. Rickett has since been transferred to the Whitley County Detention Center where he is being held on charges of first-degree robbery, theft by unlawful taking - auto valued at $10,000 or more, first-degree wanton endangerment, contempt of court and non payment of fines.
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In Tennessee News
A Jellico Tennessee Subway store manager has been arrested on numerous drug-related charges following an investigation by the Jellico Police Department. After a two-month investigation revealed that narcotics were allegedly sold at the store, officers obtained a search warrant and found 12 bottles of various drugs, including Oxycodone, Morphine and Percocet. Arrested at the scene were Aaron Baird and Baird’s sister, Mellissa Ann Moore. Following further investigation, Moore was charged with possession of a schedule IV drug. Baird is facing several felony charges including a violation of the Tennessee Drug Free School Zone. A Subway district manager came from the Knoxville office to re-open the store after the arrests.