Brother indicted for vehicular homicide

Michael Moser, Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.
·9 min read

Feb. 8—A Cumberland County man charged with vehicular homicide in a crash that resulted in the death of a brother was one of dozens indicted by the grand jury on Jan. 8. Some of those indicted appeared for arraignment in Criminal Court Jan. 10 while others will make first appearances Feb. 9.

Tony Curtis Thompson, 45, Louise St., was indicted on charges of vehicular homicide, alternate theory of aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI, according to court records. Thompson was taken into custody on Jan. 11 and is being held in lieu of $1 million bond.

The indictment alleges Thompson was the driver of a vehicle that crashed on I-40, with Roger Thompson, 35, Somerset, KY, dying at The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville the following day.

The crash was investigated by THP Troopers Ryder Cook, Sgt. Justin Mote, Will Whitson, Jordan Danner, Kyle Herren and Al Seitner. Also listed as witnesses were members of the TBI crime lab, Knox Medical Examiner Dr. Gayle Suzuki and seven others.

The indictment includes two DUI convictions in August 2007 and one in August 2001.

Thompson appeared for arraignment on Jan. 24 and the Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent him. A bond reduction hearing is set for Feb. 9.

In other cases recently indicted or appearing in court for arraignment on Jan. 10, the following took place:

Burglary/thefts

—Donald Eugene Caswell, theft of property of $1,000 to $2,500 alleged on April 17, 2023, and involving personal property including a Sony PS3, Nintendo Switch, controllers and 23 games, continued to March 4 at which time Caswell is to return to court with an attorney.

—John Clayton Neely, theft of property of $1,000 to $2,500 alleged between April 15-21 and involving a utility trailer theft investigated by CCSO Investigator Mitchell Ward, continued to April 8.

—John Edward Russell, theft of more than $2,500 alleged on Jan. 23, 2023, and involving a 2001 Casita camper, investigated by CCSO Investigator Robert Kollros, continued to March 4 at which time Russell is to return to court with an attorney.

—Jonathan Wayde Russell, theft of property of more than $2,500, reckless endangerment and evading arrest alleged on Oct. 5, 2023, and investigated by THP Troopers Nicholas Neal, Jeremy Newcomb and Will Whitson, CPD Lt. Larry Qualls and Officer Ethan Wilson and CCSO Deputies Jake Brink and Nathan Lewis, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent Russell and continued to April 8. Allegations include theft of 1998 GMC Jimmy and resulting high speed pursuit in the city.

Assaults

—Brandon Luke Baron, domestic assault alleged on Jan. 30,. 2023, continued to April 8.

—Thomas Richard Christian, vehicular assault and DUI, per se, continued to March 4.

—Ashton Elijah Dukes, aggravated assault and domestic assault alleged on Oct. 6. 2023 (strangulation), Jeff Vires appointed to represent Dukes and continued to Feb. 9 for bond reduction hearing.

—Joshua Matthew Norton, aggravated assault and domestic assault alleged on Aug. 22, 2023, (knife) and investigated by CCSO Deputy Jason Powers, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Norton and continued.

—Jacob Turner Oakes, domestic assault alleged on Oct. 30, 2023 and investigated by Deputy Michael Birnbaum, continued to April 8.

—Caleb Drake Parkey, domestic assault, false imprisonment and interfering with 911 calls alleged on March 27, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Investigator Mitchell Ward and Deputy Sarah Smith. Also, aggravated assault and domestic assault alleged on May 25, 2023 (motor vehicle) and investigated by FFGPD Officer Jamie Wyatt and David Beaty, Tansi Police and Security Officer Keanan Austin and CCSO Deputy Jason Powers. And, violation of bond conditions alleged on June 2, 2023, and investigated by CPD's Ptl. Jeremy Beard, all continued to April 8.

—Kenneth Ray Jr., assault on an officer and resisting arrest alleged on March 1, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputy Ben Griffin.

—Cameron Lucas Wyatt, domestic assault alleged on Oct. 22, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputy Blake Richardson, continued to March 4 at which time Richardson is to return to court with an attorney.

DUI

—Tristan Eli Hassler Burke, DUI, per se (blood/alcohol of 8% or more) alleged on May 21, 2023 and investigated by CPD's Sgt. Chrystal Massey and MPtl. Corey Freeman, continued to March 4 at which time Burke is to return to court with an attorney.

—Sammy Ray Debord, fourth offense DUI, per se, alleged on May 21, 2023 and investigated by CCSO Sgt. Mitchell Ward, continued to April 8.

—Mary Ann Galloway, DUI, per se, alleged on Feb. 24, 2023, and investigated by CPD Sgt. Jared South, continued to April 8.

—Jason Sherrill, superseding indictment charging DUI, resisting arrest, violation of the sex offender registry and driving on a suspended license alleged on Feb. 27, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputy Perrianna Evans, continued to March 4.

—Adam Daniel Thomas, DUI, per se, evading arrest and speeding alleged on March 8-9, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Sgt. Dustin Jackson, continued to April 8.

Possession

—Tracy Charles Fenn, possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery, aggravated assault and domestic assault, alleged on June 12, 2023 (strangulation) and investigated by CCSO Investigator Jacob Moore and Deputy Tyler Gresham. And, possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery, possession of fentanyl for sale and/or delivery, possession of marijuana for sale and/or delivery, introducing contraband into a penal institution and possession of drug paraphernalia alleged on May 23, 2023 and investigated by CPD Lt. Dustin Lester, all cases continued to March 4.

—Cedric Jordan Grooms, introducing contraband into a penal institution alleged on June 28, 2023 and investigated by CCSO Investigator Jon Wirey. Also, possession of meth and driving on a suspended license alleged On June 7, 2023, and investigated by CPD Ptls. Jessie Henson and Corey Freeman. And, possession of meth alleged on June 27, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputy Ron Fields, all cases continued to March 4.

—Herbert Brian Howard, possession of meth with intent, possession of a Schedule fentanyl with intent, possession of a firearm during commission of a dangerous felony, possession of a firearm by a felon and driving on a revoked license alleged on May 5, 2023 and investigated by CCSO Investigator Lucas Turner, Sgt. Dustin Jackson and Deputies Ray Seiber and Tashua Stone, continued to April 8.

—Herbert Mitchell Jones, possession of meth with intent and possession of meth while driving alleged on March 6, 2023 and investigated by CPD's Lt. Dustin Lester and Ptl. Corey Freeman, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Jones and continued to March 4.

—Corey Dale Keith, possession of meth with intent alleged on June 16, 2022, and investigated by CPD's Lt. John Karlsven and Mptl. Justin Farmer. Also, possession of a weapon by a felon alleged on May 24, 2023 and investigated by FFGPD Officers Stephen Garrett, Joe Nash, Jamie Wyatt and CPD Mptl. Samantha Seay. And, possession of meth for sale and/or delivery and introducing contraband into a penal institution alleged on July 12, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Investigator Jon Wirey, Deputy Tyler Gresham and Corrections Officer Robby Christmas, all continued to March 4.

—Rebecca Leann Ladd, possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery and possession of a weapon during commission of a dangerous felony alleged on June 17, 2022 and investigated by CPD's Det. Koby Wilson and Lt. John Karlsven, continued to March 4 at which time Ladd is to return to court with an attorney.

—Rosa Linda McDougal, possession of more than 26 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery, possession of fentanyl for sale and/or delivery possession of Buphrenorphine alleged on Feb. 10, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputies Brent Griffin and Jason Powers, continued to April 8.

—Joey Allen Pugh, possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery, alleged on May 25, 2023, and investigated by CPD's Lt. Dustin Lester and Ptl. Corey Freeman.

—Matthew Gene Russell, possession of more than .5 gras of meth for sale and/or delivery, possession of fentanyl and fourth offense driving on a revoked license alleged on May 13, 2023, and investigated by CPD's Lt. John Karlsven and Officers Matthew Charlock and Keith Sadula, continued.

—Shelly Marie Shull, possession of meth and introducing contraband into a penal institution alleged on May 9, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Corrections Officer Lon Turner.

—Nathaniel Aaron Snowden, possession of more than .5 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery and possession of fentanyl for sale and/or delivery, alleged on April 6, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Investigator Lucas Turner and Sgt. Dustin Jackson and CPD's Lt. Jonathan O'Neal, continued.

—Gabriel Mitchell Stepp, possession of more than 26 grams of meth for sale and/or delivery, possession of fentanyl and evading arrest, alleged on Jan. 5, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Deputies Halee Osmun, Blake Richardson and Ray Seiber, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Stepp and continued to April 8.

Registry violations

—Cody Tyler Buccina, community supervision violation alleged on May 15, 2023 and charge filed by the TDOC Board of Pardon and Parole, Kyle Cokkinias appointed to represent Buccina and continued to March 4.

Miscellaneous

—Harold John Buysse, vandalism of $1,000 to $2,500 alleged on April 24, 2023 and involves claim of spraying a substance on a neighbor lawn killing grass and investigated by FFGPD's Mark Rosser, continued to March 4 at which time Buysee is to return to court with attorney.

—Joshua Dewayne Tuttle, violation of bond conditions alleged on Oct. 5, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Investigators Jon Human, Jon Wirey and Deputy Jake Brink, continued to Feb. 9.

—Douglas Arthur Vickers, violation of bond conditions alleged on June 5, 2023, and investigated by CCSO Sgt. Dustin Jackson.

Arraignment Jan. 24

—Jericia Renee Marie Hayes, two counts each of sale of fentanyl and delivery of fentanyl alleged on Aug. 22 and Sept. 1, 2022, and investigated by the TBI, CCSO and CPD, Kyle Cokkinias appointed to represent Hayes and continued to April 22.

—Michael Paul Kearley, second-degree murder (drug overdose death) and possession of meth with intent alleged on Aug. 17-18, 2021, and investigated by the TBI, CCSO and FFGPD, bond hearing set for Feb. 9.

—Frazier Norris, four counts each of sale of fentanyl and delivery of fentanyl, sale of Acetylfentanyl and delivery of Acetylfentanyl, alleged on Aug. 1, Aug. 5, Aug. 22 and Sept. 1 and investigated by the TBI, CCSO and CPD, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent Norris and continued to April 22.

—Darrell Wayne Smith, possession of oxycodone for sale and/or delivery, alleged on Nov. 4, 2022, and investigated by CPD Lt. Dustin Lester and Officer Jackie Grant, Jeff Vires appointed to represent Smith and continued to April 8.

Arraignment Feb. 9

Scheduled to appear in Criminal Court Friday for arraignment are:

—Michael Ralph Daignault, second-degree murder and possession of less than one gram of fentanyl.

Michael Moser may be reached at mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com