One of the smoothest talking con men that ever passed through East TN is wanted as of 11/20/2019 for passing worthless checks in Bradley County
Worthy of a Netflix documentary--considered (non-violent) and smarter than most law enforcement officers he has encountered: after walking away from a prison work farm in Michigan (2008) he went on a cross country crime spree.
While in Monroe County he told some area businesses and cops that he was an heir to a fortune and even convinced two Sweetwater PD cops to retire because he had promised them high paying security guard jobs. After he was brought back to Monroe County in 2008, he was part of the infamous 'fake attorney scandal' while he was housed in the Monroe County jail--in which Sweet, and two former MCSD detectives played an elaborate ruse on a jailed inmate. read more on the fake attorney case Courthousenews
It was a windy and overcast Saturday, but the rain stayed away making the 4th annual October 26, 2019 Cherohala Skyway Heritage Bluegrass Festival a huge success at the Charles Hall Museum fairgrounds. There were pioneer demonstrations, wagon rides, antique tractors, lots of food vendors, artisans, wood carvers, and several musical acts. The Farm Hands were recently profiled on Bluegrass Today, but there is still no official word whether guest fiddle player Kimberley Bibb will become a permanent member of the band or an occasional guest artist--let's hope she stays on!
The National Counter Terrorism Center is at the forefront of homeland security to prevent domestic and foreign acts of violence against the United States. Listen to this fact filled conversation (Why the NCTC was created) by the former deputy Director of the CIA and the NCTC Director on what we should be thinking about to address the primary threats. The NCTC is an information hub: made up of over a 1,000 members who fused together the operational strategy which led to the capture of Osama Bin Laden, and since then has prevented several terrorist plots. New measures now provide more in-depth sharing of information to provide analysis of critical threats. Some of the 911 terrorists scouted areas near the tri-state area--in Cherokee County NC, and Polk County TN asking seemingly tourist-type questions during their numerous intelligence gathering trips. Foreign agents often pose as 'diplomats' -- as was reported by a nearby *resident who spoke with a person driving an SUV with tinted windows (in one of the most desolate no-outlet back-roads around) saying he/or they werefrom the Atlanta Office of the Russian Consulate and were 'lost', trying to make their way to Knoxville. The group may have been scouting secluded areas without cell phone coverage for secret meetings. No cell-phone reception means their location cannot be 'pinged' by cell phone towers. * In a later conversation with the elderly gentleman his level of education was obvious: I said, "you are a former state department guy" to which he said, "how did you know that?" ... it was just a guess...the way he imitated the Russian dialect clearly showed his linguistic skills were above average.
The continuing growth of tourism in Tellico Plains has Charles Hall written all over it. The area has become an international destination for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and nature lovers.
It began when he appeared before a Congressional House Committee which funded the construction of the the Cherohala Skyway- a multi million dollar road project which connects Robbinsville, North Carolina and Tellico Plains. The town's public library was another project directly linked to him and other civic leaders--we thank Charles and his family for his legacy and his outstanding leadership as well as the local business community which enriches the quality of life and attracts newcomers to come and visit, enjoy, and often make Tellico Plains their new home. Be sure to stop by the Charles Hall Museum.
Misconduct Allegations Include "Being in a Sexual Relationship with an Informant" -- Scandal Creates A Near Collapse of Law-Enforcement
Update: Former Chief Russell Parks was indicted and booked into the Monroe County Jail on 7/11/2019-- Back in February Parks' daughter had access to his phone, she read revealing text messages, then tells her step-mother who called Mayor Patrick Hawkins, who then called District Attorney Stephen Crump and the TBI began an investigation.
A surprising turn of events since Parks booked numerous people in the same jail where his mugshot was taken. He was charged with a Class E Felony since the value of the property or services obtained was more than ($500) dollars--the indictment includes missing funds in the amount of ($840) dollars which was allegedly used for sexual favors from a confidential informant. A couple of weeks after his arrest, he pleaded 'not guilty' at the first court hearing--if found guilty, he may be classified as a 'convicted felon' for the rest of his life. In the TPPD general information-page it was stated that "Understanding that the laws have a spirit, as well as a letter, thus giving our officers latitude." It's unclear as to whether this meant that Parks felt he could interpret the law to justify his actions.
Eyewitnesses report that upon learning of what had transpired back in February, Parks' wife became enraged, dragged him out of his patrol car in the Police Dept. parking lot, and gave him a 'bare knuckle ass-whoopin'... Initially, Parks' quick departure raised eyebrows: we now know his actions created a crisis and even the possibility of a lawsuit--it's not uncommon for confidential informants in similar circumstances to sue a police department claiming 'abuse of power'...
A well-placed local resident said back when the scandal first broke, "there are more serious allegations involved and added, he's done as a police officer, and lucky if he doesn't wind up in jail."
Parks' second in command, former TPPD Lt. Jason Crowder is out as well--he has taken a 'rent-a-cop' (security guard) job in a residential community. If Federal funds or 'instruments used in interstate commerce' (a cell phone or computer), are used in a crime, the FBI usually gets involved--last March, a Virginia State Trooper was found guilty on several federal charges including soliciting sex from an informant, bribery, theft of federal funds, lying to the FBI, and destroying evidence. More from WVVA.
This is Tellico Plains' second police chief scandal: in 2012 there was a state comptroller investigation on former police chief Bill Isbell, a 'darling' of the private Coker Creek facebook users group: Where Did The Money Go?
The Tellico Plains city council advertised for a 'new police chief' and within a few days, four applied for the job. The unanimous choice was to get back former chief of police Jeb Brown in the chief's position, he was the clear favorite...many see it as step in the right direction for the city moving forward, one city local resident said-- "it's like Sheriff Taylor is back in town." Chief Brown was recently asked, did Parks pass on any pertinent information about mass casualty threats with a deadly weapon by a recent move/in drifter who is a frequent flea market vendor? Brown said no he wasn't informed, and said, " Parks had been charmed and had become friends with the guy." ...a clear lapse of judgement, considering the guy had initially bragged that he owned a 'Thompson' sub-machine gun... Information by a credible witness in the Tellico Plains Flea Market portrays the drifter as a malcontent and prone to violence...This is the sort of person Parks 'cozied' up to?
