Press Releases

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions today against a Crips gang member who attempted to kill a driver during a carjacking. Demetris Ross Grimes, 27, was convicted of eighteen counts including multiple counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Attempted Carjacking, Attempted Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Assault.

For the second time in one month, prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction against a multi-convicted felon who burglarized Wal-Mart. Nikia Tnaha Bowens, 40, was convicted of Burglary and Theft. Bowens was convicted by a jury last month for another Burglary at a different Wal-Mart.

A Knox County man who was found guilty following a violent beating in 2012 was sentenced today to serve seventeen years in prison. In a January trial, prosecutors with DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions for Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault against Nehad Sobhi Abdelnabi, 52.

“”>Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained the maximum sentence today against a man who secretly video-recorded a twelve-year-old girl before she got into the shower. In a trial last March, Ruben Sanchez Montiel, 31, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. At a sentencing hearing today before Judge Steve Sword, prosecutors argued that Montiel should receive the maximum sentence. Judge Sword agreed and sentenced Montiel to twelve years in prison.

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction today against a man who sold cocaine to a Knoxville Police Department informant. Rashan Lateef Jordan, 35, was convicted of Sale and Delivery of Cocaine over .5 Grams in a Drug Free Childcare Zone.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained Burglary and Theft convictions against Aryan Nation gang member Jason K. Ivey, 43, after he unlawfully entered Wal-Mart and stole merchandise. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on June 30.

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction today for Second Degree Murder against Ty-Ray Earl Webb, 26, a man who shot his brother-in-law following an argument at a birthday party. Under the terms of the agreement, Webb will serve forty years in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Court Division obtained a conviction against Deaton Joseph Myers, 21, for Assault by Extremely Offensive or Provocative Contact. At trial, Assistant District Attorney Randall Kilby explained to the jury that on February 7, 2014, Myers assaulted a fifteen-year-old boy in the pool of the Days Inn at 5335 Central Avenue Pike.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained a conviction against Howard Finnis Melton, Jr., 68, for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. After deliberating for less than ten minutes, the jury returned their verdict, and Judge Bob McGee ordered Melton into custody.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s office obtained a conviction against a man who stole wheel rims worth $1200 from a local business. Following a two-day trial, Esean Allen Phillips, 27, was convicted of Theft over $1000. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on June 20.

District Attorney General Charme P. Allen is pleased to announce that Governor Haslam has signed into law her proposal to strengthen state laws prohibiting the use of electronic devices by school bus drivers. General Allen worked closely with bill sponsors Senator Becky Duncan Massey and Representative Eddie Smith over the past several months to ensure its passage before the General Assembly.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction against a multi-convicted felon who burglarized Wal-Mart. Following a two-day trial, Nikia Tnaha Bowens, 40, was convicted of Burglary and Theft. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on June 23.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained a conviction against an impaired driver who was about to merge onto Interstate 40 late at night without headlights. Despite refusing field sobriety tests or blood alcohol tests, John Watson Helvey, 47, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on June 9.

A repeat drunk driver was sentenced to the maximum sentence allowable under state law after DUI prosecutors in General Charme Allen’s office obtained a conviction following a February trial in a case against a man who crashed his vehicle into a parked car while intoxicated. Jeremy Ledyard Nathan, 37, was sentenced to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in jail for Driving Under the Influence Third Offense.

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s White Collar Unit obtained a conviction today against a man who set fire to his home in order to collect on a fraudulent insurance claim. Reuben Eugene Mitchell, 46, was convicted by a jury of Arson and False or Fraudulent Insurance Claims over $10,000.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained multiple convictions against a man who gave a sixteen-year-old girl prescription pills then raped her. Following a two-day trial, Buford E. Trammell, 55, was convicted of multiple counts of Rape, Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure, Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, Solicitation of a Minor, and Casual Exchange with a Minor.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit and investigators with KPD’s Organized Crime Unit closed a local nightclub under the state nuisance law. Club Dejavu, located at 2619 Chapman Highway, was closed by order of Judge Steve Sword based on gang activity, shootings, and extremely violent behavior occurring at the club.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit obtained a conviction against a Gangster Disciple gang member for human trafficking. Roger Ernest McClain, Jr., 26, was convicted of Trafficking for Commercial Sex. Under the terms of the plea agreement, McClain was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction today against a man who has fifteen prior felony convictions. Terry Huck Trammell, 43, was convicted by a jury of Theft. Because Trammell is classified as a Career Offender, the only possible sentence is the maximum for a Class D felony, twelve years in prison.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions today against a member of the Aryan Nation for firearm and property offenses. Tyler Michael Higginbotham, 24, was convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Burglary, and two counts of Theft. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Higginbotham’s sentence was enhanced because of his gang membership, and he will serve sixteen years in prison.