Career Offender Convicted of Theft from Local Church

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s office obtained convictions today against a career criminal with eight prior felony convictions who stole from a local church. Walter Keith Isbell, 50, was convicted by a jury of two counts of felony Theft. Upon conviction, Judge Scott Green revoked Isbell’s bond and ordered him into custody.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney TaKisha Fitzgerald called witnesses who testified that on June 16, 2014, Isbell and a juvenile entered the First Baptist Church of Knoxville at 510 Main Street. Isbell asked a church employee if the juvenile could use the restroom. The employee agreed and directed them to the bathroom. When the employee walked away, Isbell entered the sanctuary and stole a guitar. He then pawned the guitar at Atomic Pawn on Kingston Pike.

“If you have spent the majority of your life committing crimes, you can expect this Office to seek the maximum punishment,” said DA Allen.”This criminal preyed upon the kindness of the church, and now, he will spend years at the penitentiary.”

At sentencing, prosecutors will seek to classify Isbell as a Career Offender, making his punishment the maximum for a Class E felony, six years. Isbell’s criminal history dates back thirty years with eight prior felony convictions for offenses like Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Vandalism, Reckless Endangerment, and felony drug convictions for selling cocaine and marijuana.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.