My Career Has Been Ruined For "No Reason"

Former MCSD Captain Kenny Hope blamed 'others' for his downfall; he was unable to handle the pressure of being under investigation

On a 'good day' former Captain Kenny Hope performed well, and was like-able. His downfall began during the Jim Miller homicide investigation and the comments that credible witnesses in the community allegedly heard him say--to be clear, it was decided by former DA Bebb that Hope had nothing to do with the Jim Miller murder; but, his comments to the media didn't jive with what other long-time locals knew...he claimed his only contact with Jim Miller was during a traffic stop. This was claim was refuted in court by several witnesses including TBI agent Barry Brakebill. 

Brenda Stakely said she had heard Kenny Hope say "he had killed Jim Miller, put him in the trunk, and burned him like the pig he was." Another witness (Jim Plemons), testified that he heard Kenny Hope say how much "he hated Jim Miller and (former sheriff) Doug Watson."

Kenny Hope tried to clear his name by way of comments to the media--'bad mistake'--an important lesson missed by some current MCSD officials in 2017.

Kenny Hope's final 'swan song' remark after being cleared as a murder suspect, correctly described his conduct.

Using NO REASON when he made public statements, which may at a later time appear as false or misleading.

NO REASON for 'breaking rank'-- when he called the news media after being cleared as a suspect to say, " MY CAREER HAS BEEN RUINED FOR NO REASON." 

NO REASON for showing a lack of inter-agency cooperation and sensitivity for the family of the victim, by making un-authorized statements to the media while he was still employed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Dept.

Oddly enough, Kenny Hope's phone voicemail greeting started with, "You have the right to remain Silent."....if had he used his own advice before and after being cleared as a Suspect....he might still be a Law Enforcement Officer.

3 weeks after he was cleared as a suspect, while still employed by the Monroe County Sheriff's Dept., Hope was allegedly found by Madisonville P.D. outside a woman's home holding a club and smelling of liquor. 

This is a reminder that --
"Suspects are presumed to be Innocent"....."Suspects are not presumed to be Intelligent."

Hidden Forest Service Campground: A Crime Haven with a View

Bromen's SUV used in getaway

The fallout from the "Missing Minnesota girl" unfolds 

it's now known that Jon Bromen, the "wanted criminal" who kept Claire Cooney and her mother for 10 days in an "out of the way" forest service campground in Monroe County, was caught because of a "dead battery" which forced him to leave his campsite and walk down Hwy 68 seeking help.

Why did the trio go un-noticed for a week and a half by Forest Service Law Enforcement? The District USFS ranger would have noticed "something wasn't right" if he had taken the time to drive in one of the secluded campground areas just off Joe Brown Rd. The same USFS campground area that a drifter from Alabama made his base of operations for several weeks. 

A man, woman, and child living in their vehicle in one of the coldest weeks of the year: you can bet would have raised a "red flag" for experienced USFS Agent Shawn Reece--who likely would have immediately gotten on the radio and called Monroe County Sheriff Dispatch for a 10-29 check on the vehicle and it's occupants. That's "IF" he had driven in the secluded campground areas--which have become less and less user-friendly over the past few years; it's almost as if they hope that the  large pot-holes on the road, the garbage, and lack of mowing will discourage use of this facility. 

If not for Scott Williams, who recognized the wandering Minnesotans on Hwy 68--the case may have had a sad outcome. See how Bromen was captured HERE

Missing girl found near Coker Creek Welcome Center

Claire Cooney kept hidden for a week in a Forest Service campground behind the Coker Creek Welcome Center 

Brian Cooney hadn't seen his daughter Claire for over a month. On Sunday her non-custodial mother, along with her "wanted fugitive" traveling companion, and 6 yr. old Claire were spotted walking on Hwy 68 by an alert store owner. It's now presumed they were walking because there was a "BOLO" (be on the lookout) for their vehicle bearing a Minnesota license plate, or had car trouble with their vehicle--regardless, it's likely they were on a typical Sunday walk, and had planned to return to their campsite.

The secluded area where the trio was camping for several days has long been a favorite spot for drifters and gold-panners--and, has become a breeding ground for crime and illegal activities-- Claire was kept there for a week without Forest Service Agent Shawn Reece being aware that a "wanted fugitive," Claire, and her mother were in his jurisdiction.
About 3 years ago, a drifter from Alabama made the same secluded campground area near the Welcome Center his base of operations, see Peeping Tom Arrested.

The trio likely (did) visit-as told by P.I. Renee Brewer, the Coker Creek Welcome Center, but did not raise any suspicion--this facility, founded by Don Charest  (made up of almost 100% recent Northern move-ins), welcomes newcomers--especially couples with a school age child... Did the staff ignore the missing child posters?...In 2005, during time of the disappearance/search for Franny Graham, who lived just across the road, no missing person's posters were seen in or around the Welcome Center--in fact, the newly hired contract facility postal worker at the time (Barbara Coleman), said she wasn't told about Franny's disappearance, even 6 months after she started...How could this be?...Well you see, bad publicity is "bad for tourism and land sales."

While the trio traveled through middle TN, they attracted the attention of an alert store owner,--when they arrived in Monroe county, another alert store owner from (Williams Mountain Market) recognized the group from a missing person flyer. 

Claire's natural blond hair had been dyed black, and with make-up, looked older  

Making Monroe County 'Safe Again', MCSD on Dateline NBC

A 'dumb mistake' by the accused helps prosecutors close the Bob McClancy Murder

Being profiled on a Dateline NBC episode, especially a 2 hour episode was a head-turner...over the past decade, suspicious deaths were common... 
At times, it seemed like MSNBC reporter Keith Morrison was conducting a "deposition" on Det. Travis Jones, who was clearly uncomfortable with some of the questions. Lack of training, and at times, a disregard for standard 'law enforcement guidelines', compromised several death investigations. 

The McClancy murder was solved, mainly because of 'a dumb mistake' by the accused'--described in the outline below, and Mclancy's stepson alerting the authorities of what he had discovered in a computer given to him by Martha Ann... (the case had been dismissed in 2006 before it went to trial, because of police mishandling of the evidence).

 If you watched the Dateline episode, you may notice striking similarities in the suspicious death of Charlie Young--in a 45 minute narrative, Charlie's son describes what he has uncovered about his father's death--watch Marvin Young Victim of Corruption.

Among the major players in the Secrets in the Smoky Mountains episode were Attorney Matthew Rogers, Former MCSD Captain Travis Jones, VA investigator Nate Landkammer, and from the 10th Judicial District Prosecutor's Office-Cindy Schemel and Mac McCoin. 

A brief outline of the Dateline 'Secrets in the Smoky Mountains' 

• in 2006, Capt. Jones becomes suspicious that he has a 'staged death investigation' and not an apparent suicide.
• Pictures found on a digital camera show several poses of the victim, as if the perpetrator was deciding which photo would best serve to disguise his crime.
• The initial indictment of 'negligent homicide' was dismissed in court because Captain Jones failed to get a warrant for the camera.
• Martha Ann and Chuck Kaczmarczyk were preparing to lessen their storage items, so they could travel the world--Now comes the biggest mistake of their criminal enterprise: Martha Ann gives her adopted son Sean a desktop computer, which had the same incriminating pictures on a file folder--(several posed pictures of Bob McClancy, before his alleged 'suicide' was reported on a 911 call back in 2006).
• Sean sees the pictures and calls Martha...she quickly realizes how damaging the pictures could be and tells Sean: "For God's sakes, Delete those Pictures." ...Sean becomes suspicious that his dad's death was not a suicide.
• Sean now has the pictures, and they are legally his, because Martha Ann gave him the computer.
• The prosecutor's office re-opens the case--although prosecutors generally steer clear from cases which have been dismissed--the fact that the victim was a retired cop from Florida, may have played a significant role in re-opening the investigation. And, the Feds were involved... building a case of Social Security Fraud and other charges. It would have been terrible 'PR' for the DA's Office to stand-by and 'do nothing'...
•  In 2016, Chuck and Martha Ann received lengthy prison sentences. 

Officer Shoots Suspect During Burglary at His Home

Prayer is the Best Way to meet the Lord... but, Trespassing and Stealing is Faster

An early morning shooting of a burglary suspect on 12/9/2016, has sent one man to the morgue.

Although the incident is still under investigation, only the name of the alleged suspect has been revealed. Regardless of the circumstances, any death is tragic to friends and relatives of the decedent.
However, those who know the deputy and heard his account of what took place believe he acted in self-defense, and that his character is above reproach.

Almost a Tragedy: Gas Station Roof Collapse Linked to Incompetence and Cost-Cutting

Update 12/14/2016: the 'debris' of the roof canopy collapse was removed and business is back to normal. 

The "culprit" behind the original installation of the gas pumps and roof canopy has been identified as Danny Baker of Baker Oil Company in Lenoir City, TN--during a phone interview, they admitted to hiring and paying a sub-contractor to do  the work.

The cause of many construction disasters is often negligence, incompetence, and the total disregard for public safety... in this mishap there are two obvious clues: In nearby Athens TN where EF-2 winds wreaked havoc, many buildings next to or near gas pumps were destroyed, but none of the gas station canopies collapsed--in this roof collapse, there is no visible damage to the building--only the single post holding the canopy above the gas pumps failed.
Pastor Williams recently bought the business from Gary Davis, who owned the building since it was built back in 2001.
The heavy steel-frame canopy was attached by a single steel post, which sheared off it's ground level tack-weld mount--on 11/28/2016.