Sheriff's Department Reports:


Child custody dispute
A Dandridge resident said that in the afternoon of Sunday, June 14, when he went to get his children from his ex-girlfriend's house, she locked one child who is nine years old out of her house and would not hand over the boy's medication to the man. The man said he was forced to take the child without his medication, according to a report filed by Lt. Rick Laws of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

Assault in middle of night on Long Creek Road
Ralph Talton, 83, of Wonder Road, in Newport, said that he was walking down Long Creek Road at about 0030 hours on Sunday, June 14, when someone got out of a vehicle and struck him in the head with something, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff C. J. Ball. Talton said he did not know who the suspect is or have any information about him. Talton was transported to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County and treated for minor injuries, according to Ball's report.

Vandalism alleged
Kimberly Mendez, 23, of Sail Road, said that an individual who does not live with her got into her home when she did, about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. She told Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Steve Johnson she tried to make the individual leave, but the person refused. The individual then allegedly took a screwdriver and destroyed a computer screen monitor. Mendez estimated the damage to be $200, according to Johnson's report.

Domestic assault alleged
Brittany Mulvihill, 21, of Sulphur Springs Road, said that on Sunday, June 14, around 11:40 p.m., she engaged in a verbal altercation with an individual who lives near her. Mulvihill stated that she got in vehicle to leave, and the individual began punching her vehicle and jumping on it, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Derrick Webb. Mulvihill stated that when she rolled down the driver's side window, the individual began choking her. She said she called 911 and gave her location before the individual grabbed the phone and disconnected it. The person fled the scene before Webb arrived. Mulvihill had an arm laceration and a red mark on her neck, the report stated.

Rain blamed for vehicle accident
Craig Roger Ritcher, 42, of 2389 West Highway 25/70, of Strawberry Plains, was allegedly driving a 2003 Dodge Intrepid westbound on Interstate 40 on Tuesday, June 16, at about 8:40 p.m. in heavy rain. He lost control of his vehicle, which went off the road and struck an embankment, according to a report by Sgt. Armando Fontes of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department. An unnamed passenger allegedly sustained a large knot on her head but refused medical transportation, according to Fontes' report.

Storm-related three-vehicle accident
Colleen Handryeh, 56, of 726 South Highway 107, in Del Rio, was on Tuesday, June 16, at about 6 a.m. traveling west on Highway 25/70 near Mannings Chapel Road in a 2006 Dodge when he topped a hill crest and saw the driver of one of two vehicles stopped in the road attempting to flag him down. The drivers of the two other vehicles had allegedly stopped to remove a tree limb out of the road. Green said he could not stop in time, ran over the tree limb, struck one of the stopped vehicles, then crossed over the center lane and struck the other vehicle, doing damage to all three vehicles. Green in his Nissan came to rest on the right side of Highway 25/70, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Tony Bailey. No injuries were reported. One of the two vehicles Handryeh hit was a 1985 Toyota driven by Mark A. Shelton, 30, of Hot Springs, N.C.

Three people injured in accident
Drivers of two vehicles were taken to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County following an accident on Monday, June 15, at about 11 a.m. Diane Dobosh, 59, of 520 Under the Sun Road, in Cosby, was driving a 1993 Buick north on Highway 321 near Padgett Mill Road when a 2005 Chevrolet Impala driven by Bobbie Shultz, 73, of 130 Orchard Road, in Cosby, traveling south, turned left into a private drive in front of the Buick's path. The two vehicles collided, with the Buick striking the Chevrolet with its front end to the Chevrolet's passenger side front corner. The Chevrolet allegedly spun 360 degrees and struck a concrete post with its driver side front corner, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury.

Burglary and theft alleged
L. S. Wood, 77, of 1418 Highway 73, in Newport, said that sometime between Monday, June 15 at 4 p.m. and Tuesday, June 16 at 7 a.m. someone cut the lock of his barn, entered it, and took several items, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury. The items reported stolen and their values were: a farm jack ($20), a tool box ($200), an Echo weed eater ($135), 100 feet of insulated copper wire ($25), a full five-gallon can of gasoline ($20), an industrial wheelbarrow ($75), a boxed wrench set ($20), a short handle shovel ($25), an air tank ($60), a battery charger ($75), and another wheelbarrow ($102).

Theft of air conditioning unit reported
Mary Thomas, of Lloyd Street, in Morristown, reported on Monday, June 15, that an air conditioning unit had been taken from a home that her sister, Ybonne Thomas, also of Morristown, owns on Rock City Road in Newport. A witness allegedly observed an individual loading the unit into his vehicle, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury. The unit was valued at $500.

Theft of lawn mower reported
Phyllis Cabell, 48, of Greystone Way, said that she had loaned her lawn mower to a neighbor, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Tony Bailey. The neighbor reported it stolen from their yard between Sunday, June 14, at 8:30 p.m. and Monday, June 15, at 4:45 p.m. The Murray lawn mower was valued at $50.

Theft of refrigerator and washing machine reported
Cassandra Ledford, 25, of 1560 East Highway 25/70, in Newport, reported that her home had been broken into either Monday, June 15, or Tuesday, June 16, according to a report by Timothy N. Snapp of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department. Ledford said a door had been pried open, but not damaged. The refrigerator and the Whirlpool washer were each valued at $300.

Pontiac Vibe worth $20,000 reported stolen
Tammy Lynn Everett, 39, of 184 Limestone Way, in Cosby, reported that her vehicle was stolen from her driveway on Sunday, June 14, while she and her boyfriend, Russell Bryant, left for Knoxville and were gone almost seven hours. Everett said she did not believe she had locked the doors to her black 2007 Pontiac Vibe. She estimated the value of the missing car at $20,000, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff David Crowder.

Damages in vandalism not fully paid
Sandra Faye Johnson, 55, of 709 White Owl Lane, in Newport, stated that on Wednesday, June 10, three neighborhood children went onto the roof of her storage building and damaged the roof by putting holes in it and ripping off shingles. The damage was estimated at $300. The children's guardians and the victim allegedly worked out a settlement for each guardian to pay Johnson $150 and for the children to pick up the shingles out of her yard, according to a report by Sgt. Armando Fontes of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department. The guardian of two of the children paid Johnson $150, but the third child's family did not comply with the agreement. Johnson requested that a report be filed in order for her to pursue charges against the third child is restitution is not paid. The three children told Fontes they were involved in the vandalism, and the guardian of the third child also told Fontes her family was involved in the vandalism and still owed Johnson $150.

Aggravated burglary alleged
Connie Little, 46, of Dark Hollow Road, said that on Monday, June 15, at about 11:45 a.m., someone began knocking on her door. She said she looked outside and did not see a vehicle. The subject allegedly knocked again, then kicked the front door two or three times, breaking it open, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury. Little stated that a white male in his early 20s, with blonde hair, wearing khaki shorts and a blue T-shirt walked into her house. Little said she screamed and the subject ran away, heading north on Dark Hollow Road. Three deputy sheriffs reportedly searched the area for the suspect but did not find him.

Theft of motorcycle reported
Terry Renner, 48, of 151 Loftis Road, in Parrottsville, reported that he left his motorcycle parked in front of his porch on Tuesday, March 17. Renner said it was stolen sometime after midnight, according to a report by Sgt. David Crum of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

Damage to Tennessee Army National Guard motor pool reported
Sergeant First Class Robert Jones of the Tennessee Army National Guard at 7051 Armory Road, in Newport, reported that on either Tuesday, June 16, or the next day, someone removed four wire restraints that secure a chain link fence to a pole. The vandal allegedly stretched the fence outward away from the poles. Nothing was found missing from the motor pool or the building and the cost to repair the damage was estimated at $50, according to a report by Sgt. Daniel Conard of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

Man found deceased
Charles Dwight Price, 59, of 615 Myers Circle, was found deceased at the home of Glenn Earl Hartsell of 336 New Cave Church Road after the two men allegedly returned from a visit to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Johnson City. The two talked for a while and then Price allegedly said he wasn't feeling well and asked if he could lay down for a little while. About one hour to one and one-half hours later, Hartsell went to wake up Price and found he was not breathing and had changed colors in his face. Hartsell immediately called 911 and Allied EMS personnel arrived, according to a report by Sgt. Daniel Conard of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department. Conard wrote that he found Price laying on a couch on his right side and that it appeared as if he had died while asleep.

Phone harassment alleged
Scott Frazier, 38, of Chicken Hollow Road, in Newport, stated on Wednesday, June 17, that an individual left three threatening messages on Frazier's voicemail, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Steve Johnson.

Break-in and theft alleged
Larry McCarter, 62, of Edwards Way, in Newport, reported to Lt. Rick Laws of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department that sometime between Wednesday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 16, someone broke into his home. Forced entry was allegedly made by kicking open the front door, doing severe damage to the door and door frame. A window was also broken, according to the report. Items reported stolen and their value were: a Panasonic mobile DVD player ($75), an RCA camcorder ($350), a Garman G.P.S. system ($150), two gold watches ($300), a 23-inch gold rope chain ($450), 20 gold coins ($48), a men's black emblem ($100), a diamond ring ($50), a black onyx ring ($50), a gold ring with black onyx on top ($75), a gold nugget ring ($150), and two pocket watches ($100). Damage to the front door, frame and window were estimated at $325.

Domestic disturbance and stabbing
Tommy Allen Lane, 48, of 1007 Missionary Ridge Road, in Newport, and an individual with whom he argued stated Lane stepped back when physically confronted, stumbled, and fell backwards into the kitchen sink, according to a report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Brian Holt. Both said Lane was stabbed in the left shoulder by a butcher knife that was sitting point up in the sink. Lane had a deep laceration to his left shoulder and was transported to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County's emergency room by Allied ambulance services.

Accident on Lindsey Gap Road
Andrea C. Pacheco, 31, of 409B Rocky Flats Road, in Cosby, said she was traveling south bound on Lindsey Gap Road in a 1996 Nissan on Sunday, June 14, at about 3 p.m. when she steered her car to the right edge of the road to allow room for a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Pacheco said she moved too far to the right and her passenger side tires dropped off to the right side, pulling her vehicle into a nearby ditch. Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Brian Holt wrote in a report that Pacheco was uninjured and there was no noticeable damage to her vehicle.

Accident on Glen Oak Road
Melissa N. Vance, 24, of 406 Elk St. Apt. M76, in Greeneville, was traveling west on Glendale Road in a 1998 Saturn on Tuesday, June 16, when another vehicle
hit Vance's vehicle on the left side and left the scene. The front of the Saturn was damaged, according to a report by Richard Caldwell of the Cocke County Sheriff's Department.

Accident on Dark Hollow Road
Patricia Borinsky Shults, 15, was traveling north on Dark Hollow Road in a 1995 Honda on Monday, June 15 at about 3 p.m. when, while negotiating a curve, her vehicle exited off to the right of the road and traveled down an embankment, causing damage to the front, sides, and undercarriage. A report by Cocke County Deputy Sheriff Jason Oury wrote that Borinsky stated another vehicle was entering the curve headed south and into Borinsky's lane, causing her to swerve to miss the other vehicle.


Newport Police Department Reports:


Breaking and entering of a vehicle alleged
Jessica Lovell, 17, of Fairfield Drive, in Newport, said that on Monday, June 15 at midnight, someone broke into her vehicle parked at Lowe's at 1099 Cosby Highway, in Newport. Lovell said when she returned to her vehicle, she discovered entry had been made to it by breaking the left door lock. A Sony CD player worth $180 and an amp with speakers worth $350 were stolen from the 2002 Honda Accord, then recovered by Capt. James Holt about one hour later. Warrants were pending on the suspect, according to Holt's report.

Assault at McDonald's alleged
Trinity Naillon, 18, of Bogard Road, in Newport, said that on Sunday, June 14, around 9:45 p.m., he was at McDonald's at 817 Cosby Highway, in Newport, when an a white male he knows approached him and said Naillon owed him some money for a stereo. Naillon told officers that after he told the individual he was not going to give him any money, the offender smacked him on the right side of his face. Witnesses said the alleged offender fled the scene in a gray Dodge Omni, according to a report by Patrolman Amy Elswick.

Breaking and entering, theft alleged
John Gabriel told the Newport Police Department that a woman called him to say she drove by an apartment at 107A Lincoln Ave., in Newport, on Friday, June 12, at 10:30 p.m. and noticed that the front door was open. Gabriel investigated and found the front door to the apartment kicked in and the following items missing: a TV (worth $50), two lamps ($20), and six paintings ($20 each). He valued the door at $200.

Vandalism alleged
Kassaundra Wilde, 19, of Good Hope Road, in Parrottsville, said she parked her 2001 Chevrolet car in the parking lot for Shoney's Restaurant at 911 Cosby Highway in Newport for two hours. When she returned to her vehicle, someone had allegedly damaged the window molding on the passenger side of her vehicle, according to Patrolman Amy Elswick.

Phone harassment and verbal assault alleged
Lorin Kelly, 17, of Marshall Drive, in Bybee said that on Sunday, June 14 at midnight, she and her mother went to Fred's at 122 Five Rivers Plaza Way, in Newport, to meet with an individual returning some items belonging to Kelly and another individual. When the individual with the items saw Kelly, she allegedly took her fist, punched her hand, and said, "You're about to get this fist in your face," according to a report by Patrolman Amy Elswick. The mother reportedly called the police and the individual fled the scene before officers arrived. While the police were present, the individual alleged called Kelly on her cell phone and said, "You better stay away from (the other individual) if you know what is best for you," according to the report.

Harassment alleged
Preston Gray, 35, of 463 Rankin Road, in Newport, said on Monday, June 15, that he was being harassed by an individual. He said the person was allegedly walking by his property, making obscene gestures, and cursing him, according to a report by Patrolman Derek Wright. Gray said he had called out the police the previous day to complain about the individual.

Boy on bicycle hit by car, taken to hospital
Ian Soesbee, 12, of 210 Abbey Road, in Newport, was taken to Baptist Hospital of Cocke County on Wednesday, June 17, after an accident with a 2006 Toyota Scion driven by Clark E. Kridler, 19, of 112 Woodlawn Ave., in Newport, according to a report by Patrolman Jason Hensley. Kridler was allegedly traveling south on Abbey Road near College Street when Soesbee rode his bike through the yard of 236 College St. and attempted to merge onto Abbey Road. Soesbee's view of the road was reportedly obstructed by the home at 236 College Street. Soesbee came onto the road and struck the Toyota in the front left fender. Kridler said he tried to avoid hitting Soesbee on his bike, but could not, the report stated.

Man allegedly loses wallet with $980 in it
Chris Shepherd, 32, of Pocohontas St., in Newport said he went to the Murphy USA gas station at Walmart on the Cosby Highway about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, got out of his vehicle and dropped his wallet. He was unable to find it, according to a report by Patrolman Ricky Parton. The next day, the manager at the gas station showed a video to Shepherd. In it, Shepherd was seen dropping his wallet while exiting his vehicle. A white, heavyset bald man allegedly picked up the wallet, walked off, and got into a light blue Chevy Malibu and drove off. In the wallet was $980 in cash, a driver's license, social security card, insurance cards, social security numbers for two children, for a total amount of about $1,100 in value, according to Shepherd.

Flood damage reported
Arlene Coolidge, 38, of 679 7th St., in Newport, reported extensive flood damage to her home at about 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, according to a report by Patrolman Jason Hensley. The flooding allegedly started due to a storm that hit Newport. Coolidge said she called the landlord who told her to contain the water. Hensley said he saw water coming out of the kitchen floor from underneath the sink, and from under a tile in the middle of the floor. He also saw other areas with water entering the residence, including along a wall in the living room and in the bedroom. In the garage, soaked with water were assorted items and blankets Coolidge said she planned to sell in a yard sale. The clothes and blankets were valued at $100.

Vandalism over $1,000 alleged
Barbara Pope said she parked her car in the Walmart parking lot on Monday, June 15 from about 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. She told Patrolman Billy Woody that on Tuesday, June 16, her husband washed her 2007 Chevrolet and noticed a large scratch down the passenger side of the vehicle. Pope insisted the damage must have happened on June 15 while the car was parked at Walmart. Repairs were estimated at $2,500.

Phone harassment alleged
Heather Shults, 22, of Flatrock Road, in Del Rio, told Patrolman William Garber on Wednesday, June 17, that an individual had been calling and harassing her for about two months. Shults said the individual left a voicemail on Tuesday stating she was going to kill Shults. Shults allegedly said she feared for her life.

Diesel fuel stolen
Johnny Ernest Baines, of Pecan Tree Way, in Newport, said he always parks his 2004 Peterbilt tractor-trailer in the parking lot behind Bella's Restaurant on Highway 25/70. Baines told Patrolman William Garber that on Friday, June 12, his fuel tanks were almost full, but when he checked again on Wednesday, June 17, the tanks were completely empty. The approximate loss was put at $337.50.

Damage to pickup truck alleged
Randy Ragan, 49, of North Cherokee Drive, in Newport, said his son had driven a 2001 Ford pickup home at about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, and it was undamaged. However, he said on the next day, at about 2:50 p.m., he saw the front passenger side window was shattered, according to Patrolman William Garber. Garber said he could not determine if the window had been vandalized or shattered due to heat. The window was estimated at $100.

Citation for shoplifting
Jason Warren Huff, 32, of 266 English Mountain Road, in Newport, was cited by Lt. Terry Lawson for theft under $500 on Wednesday, June 17, after a Walmart security officer allegedly saw Huff put a package of luxury sheets in his front pants. Huff was reportedly stopped outside Walmart with the sheets still hidden in his pants. The package was valued at $39.88.