Davis, who was elected in November, says he is aware of reports about the 2005 raid in Del Rio, which is in his district. The prosecutor says he has information that there may have been a pattern of taking small amounts of money from drug traffickers during traffic stops "but we don't know of more serious incidents like this one." "These officers are innocent until proven guilty under the law, but obviously these charges will hurt their credibility in court," Schmutzer writes. The conditions of his release include travel restrictions and a provision that he not have contact with firearms or other weapons if he is indicted by a grand jury. It is unclear what precipitated the transfer. (Tip: Do not over bake, and the more you work the dough, the better. (See sentencing memorandums in Roach/Sheldon case: Patrick Taylor's sentencing hearing is reset to Oct. 2 after his attorney, David Hill, files motions explaining that he has been seriously ill. Sept. 19: Mike Gunter is convicted of conspiring to distribute and attempted possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine after a six-day trial in federal court in Greeneville. The men are accused of conspiring to extort money from at least a dozen DUI suspects in return for dropping the charges against them between 1967 and 1969. Also known as Joseph Mark Ramsey. Your safety and well being is our primary concern. He was not quite the last, as he often claimed, but he was probably the most famous ever to work out of Cocke County, which long had a claim as the nations moonshining capital. (78 years old). This Moonshiner cast spent his 20s mastering the craft. Smith also accuses the ex-lawman of all manner of corruption, including crimes involving "narcotics, illegal gambling, alcohol violations, possibly even civil-rights violations. The death of federal prohibition a generation earlier had barely slowed down the illegal booze trade in East Tennessee, where most counties including Cocke were still "dry" when it came to liquor sales. Jan. 22, 2007: Donald and Donna Poteat appear in federal court in Greeneville along with Michael Maynard to plead guilty to charges arising from the Del Rio Cockfighting Pit. He states that Black's constitutional rights weren't violated, says that when each recording was made after Sept. 27 that Black "initiated the conversation or contact," and argues that "the cooperating officers could properly elicit incriminating statements as to uncharged conduct, to include witness tampering and retaliation against cooperating witnesses.". Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Reeves says that Bill and Curtis Banks are brothers. HSUS also argues that it is "immune from this suit" because it was a federal contractor. April 13: Federal prosecutors file motions in the cases against former deputy Larry Joe Dodgin and Jeremy Jones to reduce their sentences in light of their cooperation. Smith was one of the officers who responded to the scene, officials say. Using the mobile tracking device secretly installed on the minivan in January, agents are able to track the vehicle as it drives to Patrick Taylor's house after the transaction. June 8: Stacey Lynn Phillips pleads guilty in federal court to cocaine trafficking. Many families in economically depressed areas like Cocke County turn to marijuana farming and drug smuggling, practices which soon become as entrenched as the older tradition of brewing moonshine. May 30: Dewey Lynn Phillips' plea agreement, which was signed February 3, is filed with the court. Smith, however, argues that Vassar was actually convicted of the larger conspiracy involving Dewey Lynn Phillips and others, which could add decades of prison time to his sentence because of the multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine involved. Welcome to the City of Newport Fire Department website. He will receive no more than five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, court records show. Some of the earliest allegations implicating Taylor concerned video gambling machines and illegal liquor sales. Theodore Williams. As the sentencing hearing gets under way, Greer orders a behind-closed-doors hearing known as an "in-camera inspection" in which a judge reviews potential evidence in a case and decides how much of it should be revealed either to attorneys or the public. Corrections officer Derrick Lynn Cureton is led from the Cocke County Jail in handcuffs by federal and state agents July 21. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and cover with shredded cheese. Lancaster was also described as the person who runs Hilltop Auto for Grooms. Kimbrough, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is working secretly for the FBI at the request of the THP's Criminal Investigations Division. City officials had worked behind the scenes for passage of the measure, pointing out that liquor is already available in the city from three liquor stores and a number of private clubs that are licensed to sell spirits. The probe, which is known unofficially in law enforcement circles as "Operation Rose Thorn," has been under way since early 2001 and has been led by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Criminal Investigations Division. During this meeting, the agent explains how his organization steals merchandise in Chicago with the assistance of corrupt law enforcement officers and Dodgin says that he might be able to get "his chief" Patrick Taylor to help out. We are honored that you have selected us to provide for your family's health care. April 27: State Rep. Ronnie Davis of Newport, who served in the Legislature for 18 years, is sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy, extortion and illegal possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. ), Roach and Sheldon present several witnesses none of whom testify for more than 20 minutes as part of an effort discredit their accusers, establish an alibi for their whereabouts when the alleged incident occurred and cast doubt on the thoroughness of the TBI probe. Greer says that Taylor not only tarnished his own badge but also corrupted other officers. Taking part were the Cocke County Sheriff's Office, the TBI, Newport police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Newport Police Department Sgt. Thomas Butts. Although Gunter has been acquitted of the purported conspiracy involving Vassar and others, he remains jailed pending his upcoming trial in the alleged cocaine conspiracy purportedly involving Harold Grooms, who hasn't been charged. "Being employed by the Cocke County Sheriff's Department is no basis for an upward departure based on the facts of this case because the defendant was not on duty and did not involve his employment in committing the offense," Hill writes. Smith suggests that Cureton receive a prison sentence of 27 to 33 months, which is significantly less than the 37- to 46-month sentence he might face otherwise, and that he participate in a substance abuse program while behind bars. The two officers are acquitted on the remaining charges. 1,974 court search results for people named "Mark Ramsey" in the United States. Both of the alleged victims are also quizzed about apparent inconsistencies between their testimony and their original statements, such as the amount of money allegedly taken from Vasques. Nestled in the rocky embrace of the Great Smoky Mountains, Cocke County was a moonshine center for as long as anyone here can recall. Leigh Ramsey. Try these dishes out, and think of Fireman Markand Enjoy! July 12: The country's largest animal protection group asks the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association. March 24: Assistant U.S. Attorney Smith tells Judge Greer that his office has "repeatedly" encountered "a problem" with orders filed in Cocke County Circuit Court and signed by judges there that either wrongly award felons the right to go armed or are used by felons as a legal excuse to go armed. Moncier and one of Gunters other attorneys, Phil Owens, tell Greer they have contacted inmates who are incarcerated with Gunter in Johnson City who say that Dewey Lynn Phillips recently approached him in his cell, apologized and said: "I would get 10 years to life if I didnt tell them I sold stuff to you." Area firefighters helped clear the home of the gas. Bredesen and Robert "Mack" Cooper, who is Bredesen's top lobbyist but is later demoted due to a sexual harassment scandal and leaves state government. Larry A Ramsey, 61. $599,900. An 18-year-old girl, Lindsey Hazelwood, says that she saw Sheldon and Roach enter a convenience store on C osby Highway about 5 p.m. as she was exiting the store. TBI Agent Geoff King then explains how the investigation unfolded, saying that both officers denied the traffic stop had ever happened and provided alibis as to where they were at the time. Lovell Amusements later became Newport Games, Smith writes. During the hearing, testimony shows that Hackett was not with Galvez on the Nov. 17 visit to Roblero's home. It isn't immediately clear who owns the club, but investigators are checking property records. Example video title will go here for this video. accounts, the history behind an article. Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. In the years that followed, Mark became quite famous for his Bar-B-Q, often catering to large groups, churches, and various community activities. Dodgin, who is still on duty, has changed into a white t-shirt but is still wearing his uniform pants. He also says "the information and assistance which Cureton provided appears to have been truthful, assisting in the prosecution of at least two individuals." Also, he says calls and e-mails to his office on the felony penalty bill were about 20-1 against. He agrees to cooperate with federal authorities who are investigating a wide range of criminal activity in Cocke County. Only minutes after the alleged incident took place, the victims made a complaint to the E-911 Center through a local Spanish interpreter that Roblero's common-law wife knew from the Cocke County Health Department. Martin argues that Thornton should get a sentencing break because he allegedly gave substantial assistance in the late 1990s to state authorities who had promised to dismiss charges stemming from a late 1996 arrest. Chamber of Commerce Director. The identity of the purchaser isn't available, but the Del Rio Cockfighting Pit's buyer must sign a purchase agreement within 24 hours and must also complete the transaction within 30 days, according to the auction's Web site. Dec. 15: Deputy Black's attorney, Joanne Sheldon, files motions identifying five local lawmen as either federal informants or cooperating witnesses: THP Trooper Kevin Kimbrough, who was transferred from Cocke County to Hamblen County in October; Deputy Jonathan Morgan; former Newport police officer Derrick Webb, who has since moved to the Pigeon Forge Police Department; Deputy Christopher Smith; and former Deputy Larry Joe Dodgin. Walker told CI-6 that she had counted $400,000 to $500,000 at a time for Harold Grooms in a special room inside Four Star Auto.". . According to records, Darnell was involved in a custody dispute with her ex-husband, who alleges their children were being raised in a "vice-ridden" environment and that she had moved to an unknown address in Ohio while under indictment. Although Taylor has only faced charges for the purchase of stolen NASCAR gear, Assistant U.S. Attorney Smith describes Taylor as a drug dealer-turned-cop who went on to commit extortion, run protection rackets, hatch robbery schemes and allow sheriff's department employees to use drugs. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Pour into large casserole dish or deep baking pan. Mark Ramsey is a well-known unscripted TV star who appears on the Discovery Channel's reality show " Moonshiners .". "Not only was it reasonable for Mr. (Neil) Smith to dispatch the FBI, he would have been derelict in his duty if he didn't," Inman says. Named `` Mark Ramsey '' in the United States Banks are brothers, smith writes still wearing his uniform.... Receive no more than five years in prison and a maximum fine of $ 250,000, court records show helped... The gas 's health care plea agreement, which was signed February 3 is! 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