Press Releases

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Domestic Violence Unit and Felony Drug Unit obtained an eleven-year-sentence for a man who attacked his ex-girlfriend. Austin Kane Rudd, 25, pled guilty to two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine over .5 Grams. Judge Steve Sword accepted the agreement and ordered Rudd to serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for the man that provided a handgun to Anthony Thompson, Jr. Kelvon Foster, 21, has been charged with Providing Handguns to Juveniles. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Brandon Elkins obtained the warrant this morning.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions against a drunk driver who fell asleep at a stoplight. Luis Alexis Briceno, 25, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence Second Offense, Driving on Revoked License, and Failure to Provide Evidence of Financial Responsibility. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on June 24 where Briceno faces a minimum of forty-five days in jail.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s DUI Unit obtained convictions against a drunk driver with four prior DUI convictions whose blood alcohol content was still over twice the legal limit three hours after driving. Tinisha Nicole Spencer, 45, was convicted of DUI Fourth or Subsequent. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on July 23 where Spencer faces a minimum of one hundred and fifty days in jail.

Tiffany Silver entered a guilty plea to stealing $750,000 from Deborah Curlee Communication Consultants, Inc. on January 26, 2021.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit obtained a conviction against a Chattanooga man identified as a member of the criminal street gang, the Black Crime Family. Jamar Laquinn Frazier, 33, was convicted of Second Degree Murder. Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on June 24 where Frazier faces a sentence of fifteen to twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a defendant who raped a child multiple times over the course of several years. Robert Vernon Gouge, 47, was convicted of three counts of Rape of a Child, one count of Attempted Rape of a Child, and one count of Aggravated Sexual Battery. Judge Kyle Hixson set the case for sentencing on June 24 where Gouge faces a minimum sentence of twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a forty-eight-year sentence against a Crips gang member who shot a man during a robbery. Adam Dewayne Holmes, 35, was convicted of Second Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. Judge Steve Sword sentenced Holmes to forty years in prison without the possibility of parole consecutive to an eight-year sentence Holmes is already serving on a drug trafficking case.

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.