Defendant Convicted of Obstruction and Resisting Arrest

A jury agreed with prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Division and found William Charles Burgess, 52, guilty of Obstruction of Service of Process and Resisting Arrest. Assistant District Attorneys Amanda Cox and Nate Ogle presented the State’s case during the three-day trial.

In the fall of 2013, Knox County Sheriff’s Office civil warrants officers attempted to serve Burgess with a civil summons and warrant. For over a month and on more than twenty separate occasions, Burgess actively evaded and hid from these officers. On October 24, 2013, officers tracked Burgess down at his mother’s house on Oak Ridge Highway. Officers searched the house and found Burgess hiding in a crawlspace wrapped in plastic. Burgess then disregarded officers’ commands to come out of the crawlspace and resisted arrest.

Judge Bob McGee set the case on May 1, 2015, for the parties to argue about the terms of Burgess’ sentence.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.