Press Releases

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.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Felony Drug Unit obtained a fifteen-year sentence against a methamphetamine dealer. David Paul Beets, 42, was convicted of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine over .5 Grams in a Drug Free School Zone. Judge Scott Green ordered Beets to serve fifteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Felony Drug Unit obtained a seventeen-year-sentence against a Detroit heroin dealer who sold drugs near Inskip Elementary. Sparkle Trenetta Jones, 36, was convicted of Sale and Delivery of Schedule I Heroin in a Drug Free School Zone. Judge Scott Green handed down the sentence today with the first fifteen years to be served without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Career Gang Unit obtained a twenty-one-year sentence against a career criminal who broke into a home off Rutledge Pike. Billy Ray Moats, 42, was convicted of Aggravated Burglary and Theft. Prosecutors sought and Judge Bob McGee handed down the maximum sentence of twenty-one years in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Career Gang Unit obtained forty-seven convictions, including twenty-nine felony convictions, against a career criminal who already had sixty-four felony convictions on his record. Curtis Anthony Burnside, 39, was convicted of twelve counts of Burglary, seventeen counts of felony Theft, sixteen counts of misdemeanor Theft, and one count each of Simple Possession and Criminal Impersonation.

Prosecutors and investigators on the Drug Related Death Task Force have closed a residence that has been the scene of several overdoses and one overdose fatality. 118 East Inskip Drive was closed today by order of Judge Bob McGee under the state nuisance law.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allens Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a Detroit heroin dealer who sold drugs near Inskip Elementary. Sparkle Trenetta Jones, 36, was convicted of Sale and Delivery of Schedule I Heroin in a Drug Free School Zone. Judge Scott Green revoked Jones bond and set the case for sentencing on November 9 where Jones faces between fifteen and twenty-five years in prison.