Press Releases

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Domestic Violence Unit obtained convictions against a former professor who beat and kidnapped his wife. Jay William Edwards, Jr., 42, was convicted of Aggravated Kidnapping, Assault, Interference with Emergency Calls, and Domestic Assault. Judge Bob McGee revoked Edwards’ bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on June 27.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a seventy-five-year sentence against a Crips gang member who pistol-whipped a Dollar General employee with a handgun during a robbery. Charles Bernard Griffin, 41, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Robbery and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a man who attempted to rob a Dollar General store using a flashlight. Randy Lee Woody, 51, was convicted of Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Assault. Judge Scott Green revoked Woody’s bond and set the case for sentencing on May 31.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s White Collar Unit obtained convictions against the leader of a check-cashing ring who used homeless people to cash fraudulent checks. Lee Otis Wilson, 36, was convicted of four counts of Identity Theft and one count of Identity Theft Trafficking. Judge Scott Green sentenced Wilson to serve eight years in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit sent two men from Detroit to prison today following a violent kidnapping in north Knoxville. Darius Patterson, 29, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin, and Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Patterson received a forty-year-sentence without the possibility of parole. Co-defendant Lavan Tremayne Johnson, 20, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin, and Possession with Intent to Manufacture Fentanyl. Johnson was sentenced to serve thirty years in prison and is not eligible for parole until after he serves fifteen years.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Major Crimes Unit and officers with KPDs Violence Reduction Team closed a local nightclub under the state nuisance law. The Vibe, located at 2630 North Broadway, was closed by order of Judge Bob McGee based on gang activity, shootings, and extremely violent behavior occurring at the club.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s office obtained a forty-eight-year sentence against a drug dealer who led officers on a high-speed chase in two counties before running a red light at seventy miles-per-hour, killing two people. Ralpheal Cameron Coffey, 29, was convicted of two counts of Vehicular Homicide, two counts of Reckless Homicide, two counts of Evading Arrest, Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Cocaine in a Drug Free School Zone, Simple Possession, and Driving on a Revoked License.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang and Felony Drug Units and investigators with KPD’s Organized Crime Unit have closed a North Knoxville residence that has been a hub of drug activity. 3104 Forestdale Avenue was closed today by order of Judge Bob McGee under the state nuisance law.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions against a driver who was so impaired he could not operate a stationary motorcycle. Donnie Bridges, 66, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence Third Offense, Simple Possession of Cocaine, and Driving on a Revoked License.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a thirty-year sentence against a career offender with over thirty prior felony convictions. Lawrence Dewaine Schumaker, 37, was convicted of eight cases of Aggravated Burglary. Judge Steve Sword sentenced Schumaker to serve thirty years in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained multiple convictions against a foster father who sexually abused his adopted daughter. David Lynn Richards, Jr., 41, was convicted of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, Rape, Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure, Sexual Activity Involving a Minor, and Incest. Judge Steve Sword revoked the Defendant’s bond and set the case for sentencing on March 28.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a career offender who ran from a traffic stop, leaving behind his methamphetamine. Noah Thomas Cox, 35, was convicted of Facilitation of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine in a Drug Free School Zone, Theft, Evading Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving on a Suspended License.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a gang member and sovereign citizen who bit off the end of an officers thumb. Alexander Ray Johnson, 30, was convicted of Aggravated Assault and two counts of Assault. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on March 28.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens DUI Unit obtained a felony conviction against an impaired driver who caused a traffic accident. Jorge Arturo Gutieres, 49, was convicted of Reckless Endangerment and Driving Under the Influence First Offense. Judge Steve Sword revoked Gutieres drivers license for violating the Implied Consent Law and set his case for sentencing on April 11.

Prosecutors in Charme Allens DUI Unit obtained a conviction today against an impaired driver who drove off the interstate. Scott William Wesselman, 32, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence First Offense. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on March 21.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against a man who attacked his coworkers with a mattock at a community farm. Timothy Whitaker, 54, was convicted of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Reckless Endangerment.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens DUI Unit obtained convictions against an impaired driver who struck several parked cars and later claimed that the parked cars struck her. Vanessa Elizabeth Helfant, 38, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Major Crimes Unit obtained an eighteen-year sentence against a man who shot at a police officer. Ryan Stephen Stiles, 40, was convicted of Aggravated Assault and Evading Arrest. Judge Bob McGee handed down the sentence and sent Stiles to the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens DUI Unit obtained convictions against an impaired driver who crashed into another vehicle on I-40 near the West Hills exit. John Christopher Chapman, 42, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Endangerment.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Career Gang Unit obtained multiple convictions against a gang member who murdered a man last year on Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue. Odell Luther Glass, Jr., 35, was convicted of First Degree Felony Murder, Reckless Homicide, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. Judge Bob McGee sentenced Glass to life in prison with the possibility of parole after fifty-one years.