Thief Convicted of Stealing Christmas Gifts

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a career criminal who stole Amazon packages including children’s Christmas gifts from several front porches ten days before Christmas. Matthew Lee Elliott, 38, was convicted of three counts of Theft and violating the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender Law. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on January 19, 2017.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Phil Morton showed that on December 15, 2015, Elliott stole packages from the porches of three homes in the area of Tipton Station Road in south Knox County. The packages were delivered by Amazon.com and contained various Christmas gifts including tool sets, UT jerseys, and toys for preschool-aged children. Officers with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate Elliott while he was still in possession of the gifts. Officers were able to determine the rightful owners of the property and return the gifts before Christmas.

“”Thanks to the hard work and diligent efforts of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the children were able to open their presents on Christmas morning,”” said DA Charme Allen.””With the Defendant facing at least twelve years in prison, I hope this case serves as a deterrent to would-be thieves this holiday season.””

At sentencing, prosecutors will seek to classify Elliott as a Career Offender because has fourteen prior felony convictions for Theft, Aggravated Burglary, Vehicle Burglary, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Identity Theft. As such, he is facing a minimum sentence of twelve years in prison.

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.