From The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation -
An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has led to the indictment of three men in connection to an assault that occurred at the Campbell County Jail.
On June 2nd 2019 at approximately 12:15am, deputies with the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Wildwood Circle area of Lafollette on a suspicious person/vehicle call. Upon arriving at the location deputies encountered Mr. Nathan Ling, who immediately fled on foot and ignored deputies’ orders to stop and comply.
Mr. Ling was only taken into custody after running into a parked vehicle and rendering himself unconscious. Deputies immediately called for medical personnel to evaluate Mr. Ling. When paramedics arrived Mr. Ling was conscious and had reengaged in fighting with deputies.
Once Mr. Ling was detained for a second time and secured for transport to jail, he became violent again while in route and jail staff was notified. While detained Mr. Ling became even more aggressive, attempting to bite, kick, and spit on deputies. During this struggle former deputy Justin Crabtree struck Mr. Ling in the face. A total of four officers were required to get Mr. Ling back into compliance.
In July, at the request of 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI Agents began investigating an alleged assault at the Campbell County Jail. The investigation revealed that on June 2, 2019, 24 year old Justin Crabtree - employed as a deputy for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office - assaulted a detainee who was being booked into the jail. Two other officers, identified as 20 year old Sean Brown and 23 year old Dakota Williams, were also present during the incident.
On Wednesday December 18, 2019 the Campbell County Grand Jury charged Justin Crabtree, with one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Official Oppression by way of indictment.
Additionally, the grand jury charged Williams and Brown with one count of Official Misconduct, one count of Official Oppression, and one count of Assault by way of presentment.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, Crabtree turned himself in and was booked into the Campbell County Jail on a $10,000 bond. Brown and Williams were booked into the Campbell County Jail and released on their own recognizance.