Commissioner asks to subpoena sheriff and deputies over social media attacks on teen

Knox County Commissioner Dasha Lundy will ask her colleagues to join her in approving a subpoena of Sheriff Tom Spangler and the deputies who say they were denied service at a deli last year. Social media posts by the sheriff's office about the exchange led to a 15-year-old girl being bullied online and eventually cost her a job.

Lundy previously asked the sheriff, the deputies and the sheriff's office human resources manager to speak at a January commission meeting, but they refused. When Lundy asked for the department's social media policy, Spangler told her to request it through the department's records department.

After the teen's mental health suffered from the online attacks, Lundy vowed to follow up with the sheriff and the deputies involved.

The girl, the sister of a Knoxville teenager killed by police inside his school, has already shared what happened. She spoke at a December commission meeting about the personal pain she experienced because of the sheriff's office social media posts.

"Where’s the accountability for those who choose to spread misinformation about me … when will they be held accountable?" the teen asked.

Lundy submitted the resolution for consideration at the commission's Feb. 13 work session.

Lundy told Knox News that she is still deeply saddened by the incident and wish the sheriff's office had never posted about it on Facebook.

"It's important to talk about this and keep pushing because it appears that people of a certain race or socioeconomic background are not valued. This is about accountability and standing up for what is right. I don't know what will come of this but we have work to do. We must move to a place where everyone feels safe and protected in this county, especially by those called to protect and serve us," said Lundy.

For months, Lundy has been the lone commissioner advocating for the girl, who was fired after the encounter when the deli's corporate managers said she did not meet employee age requirements.

Deputies say the teenager refused to serve them, which was refuted by the teenager and a coworker who attempted to take their orders. The teen was at the end of her shift and the coworker stepped into her spot at the cash register, they say.

Lundy forcefully condemned the sheriff’s office for handling the situation with a “lack of compassion and empathy.”

In addition to the resolution authorizing the use of subpoena power, Lundy is looking into creating a community oversight board to review sheriff's office policies and discipline, similar to Knoxville’s Police Advisory and Review Committee.

Angela Dennis is the Knox News social justice, race and equity reporter. You can reach her by email at angela.dennis@knoxnews.com or by phone at 865-407-9712. Follow her on Twitter @AngeladWrites; Instagram @angeladenniswrites; and Facebook at Angela Dennis Journalist.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Commissioner Dasha Lundy files resolution to subpoena sheriff'