Current and former Knox County Sheriff’s Office personnel are among charged as part of a TBI and FBI investigation

 A Knox County Grand Jury has returned indictments against eleven individuals, including current and former Knox County Sheriff’s Office personnel, on multiple charges related to an alleged theft conspiracy.

TBI agents began working alongside the FBI in 2025 to review evidence gathered during a federal investigation launched in 2019. The investigation reviewed allegations of theft involving members of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Special Investigations Unit over a period spanning from  2010 through 2018.

According to information developed during the investigation, evidence was presented indicating that county-issued resources were allegedly used inappropriately for personal benefit over multiple years. This included the alleged use of a sheriff’s office-issued credit card to make unauthorized purchases of items such as electronics, hunting equipment, tools, and materials related to home renovation and construction projects. The purchases identified during the investigation totaled well over $300,000. Investigators also reviewed allegations that more than $30,000 in cash seized during undercover drug investigations was allegedly diverted and used for personal expenses.

The investigation further included evidence that county-owned vehicles, equipment, and personnel were allegedly used for non-official purposes during duty hours, including personal construction-related work, vehicle restoration projects, and other tasks unrelated to law enforcement duties.

In November 2025, TBI agents presented investigative findings to 6th Judicial District Attorney General Charme Allen, who voluntarily recused herself from the case. Executive Director Stephen Crump of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference was appointed District Attorney General Pro Tem. Brittany Lavalle and Shari Tayloe were appointed Assistant District Attorneys General Pro Tem.

Following presentation of the evidence, the Knox County Grand Jury returned indictments against the following individuals:

• David Henderson (DOB: 01/11/60), Retired Assistant Chief Deputy – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• James “J.J.” Jones (DOB: 12/15/58), Former Sheriff – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• David Amburn (DOB: 12/10/66), Assistant Chief Deputy – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Aaron Yarnell (DOB: 07/08/75), Captain – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Curtis Nathan Cole (DOB: 12/18/75), Former Narcotics Detective – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Lake Lowry (DOB: 01/15/87), Former Sergeant – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Franklin “Rocky” Lowery (DOB: 10/04/77), Lieutenant – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Tim Isaacs (DOB: 09/07/63), Sergeant – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• John Hopkins (DOB: 02/02/66), Retired Captain – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• James Hammond (DOB: 06/18/68), Captain – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000
• Mike Kidd (DOB: 12/26/57), Civilian – Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Property over $250,000; Theft of Services over $60,000

The indictments charge the following: Theft of Property over $250,000 (Felony A), Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Theft (Felony B) and Theft of Services over $60,000 (Felony B).

“Our prosecutors remain committed to holding offenders accountable and upholding the rule of law,” said Stephen Crump, Executive Director of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference. “No one is above the law, regardless of position or title, and our duty is to make sure justice is pursued fairly and impartially. We are grateful for the work of our law enforcement partners, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose efforts were instrumental in bringing these charges forward.”