Press Releases

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved Senate Bill 513 – “Safe Space for Victims: Grant Program.”””

Prosecutors and investigators on the Drug Related Death Task Force have closed a residence in South Knoxville that has been the scene of several overdoses including three overdose deaths in the last three years. 342 Avenue B was closed today by order of Judge Kyle Hixson under the state nuisance law.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained multiple convictions against a career offender whose latest crimes targeted gym locker rooms. Mary Elizabeth Wolfenbarger, 42, was convicted of six counts of Theft, two counts of Burglary of a Vehicle, two counts of Identity Theft, and one count of Computer Fraud. Judge Steve Sword sentenced Wolfenbarger to serve twenty years in prison as a Career Offender.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction against a man who shot the mother of his child. Jacquiz Ikail McBee, 25, was convicted of First Degree Murder. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on January 26, 2021, where McBee faces life in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained another conviction against a Crips gang member with seven prior felony convictions. Herbert Eugene Ewing, 51, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine in a Drug Free Zone. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Ewing must serve twenty years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions today against a five-time impaired driver. Neal Scott Daniels, 57, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence, Simple Possession, Driving on Revoked License, and Violation of the Financial Responsibility Law. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on September 3.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction against a repeat sex offender who raped a woman in a North Knoxville laundromat. Arthur Lee Jefferson, 56, was convicted of Aggravated Rape and received a sentence of eighteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit and Elder Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man with HIV who raped a vulnerable adult. John Michael Perez-Cisneros, 57, pled guilty-as-charged to Rape and Criminal Exposure to HIV and received a sentence of eight years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Court Unit obtained convictions against a housekeeper who stole from a family while cleaning their home. Laseena Tirree White, 40, was convicted of Theft over $10,000. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on May 1.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s White Collar Unit obtained convictions against a former utility district employee who stole over $8500 from customers. Sonya Christine Sherrow, 47, was convicted of Official Misconduct, Theft, and two counts of Forgery. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on April 24.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a sentence of life plus twelve years for one of two men who murdered a woman and shot two other victims during a robbery. Elijah L. Bowman, III, 20, and Amir Hassan Spears, 20, were convicted of First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Aggravated Assault. Bowman was also convicted of two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder. Judge Scott Green imposed a life sentence on the murder count for each defendant and stacked an additional twelve years in prison on top of Bowman’s life sentence.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a violent sex offender who violated the terms of the sex offender registry. Trevon Scott Barcus, 29, was convicted of three counts of Violation of the Violent Sex Offender Registry and one count of Violation of Community Supervision for Life. Judge Scott Green revoked Barcus’ bond and set the case for sentencing on March 26.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a drug dealer with twenty-one prior felony convictions. Randall Ledon Tate, 58, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin and Alprazolam in a Drug Free School Zone. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on March 27 where Tate faces at least fifteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a forty-year sentence against a convicted felon who shot a man in the face during an argument over a text message. Antonio Cedrick Gipson, 46, was convicted of Second Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Judge Scott Green imposed the maximum sentence Gipson was facing for Second Degree Murder, forty years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained a forty-two-year sentence against a man who sexually assaulted a seven-year-old child. James Theodore Menard, 38, was convicted of Rape of a Child, two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Distribution of Unlawful Material to Minors.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a drug trafficker who brought heroin and fentanyl from Michigan to Knoxville. Denzel Damoan Washington, 27, was convicted of Delivery of Heroin in a Drug Free Zone, Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin in a Drug Free Zone, Possession with Intent to Sell Fentanyl in a Drug Free Zone, and Simple Possession of Marijuana. Judge Scott Green revoked Washington’s bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on February 21.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against two men who murdered a woman and shot two other victims during a robbery. Elijah L. Bowman, III, 20, and Amir Hassan Spears, 20, were convicted of First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Aggravated Assault. Bowman was also convicted of two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder. Judge Scott Green imposed a life sentence on the murder count for each defendant and set the case for sentencing on January 17 for the remaining counts.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a felon in possession of a loaded handgun. A jury found David Clark Ware, 31, guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun and Simple Possession of Marijuana. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on January 23.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained a twelve-year sentence against an impaired driver with thirteen prior DUI convictions. Dennis William Bunch, 52, pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence: Sixth or Subsequent Offense. At a sentencing hearing, Judge Bob McGee ordered Bunch to serve twelve years in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who sexually assaulted a seven-year-old child. A jury found James Theodore Menard, 38, guilty-as-charged and convicted him of Rape of a Child, two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Distribution of Unlawful Material to Minors. Judge Steve Sword revoked Menard’s bond and set the case for sentencing on January 9.