Is the swamp about to be drained? Secrets at the KCSO (Knox County Sheriff’s Office). Shhh … nobody say anything to nobody. Transparency be damned. Ethics and the law, too, it appears. They protect their own. Our next sheriff, Brent Gibson, calls it “a black eye” on the department. Ya think?
A few days ago, it was three unexpected questions, the kind that catch you off-guard, that thankfully create a pause or two due to an experienced brain, that says to its owner, “Slow down. Think before you say anything.” Thanks.
The inquiry came from a buddy (among others) who knows that on most Mondays, KnoxTNToday.com publishes a feature called “Our Town Hero” with my byline. This began in October 2018, and unofficially, I have written approximately 350 Hero stories about our emergency first responders in Knoxville, Knox County, and East Tennessee.
The stories are profiles of first responders – who they are, what their jobs are, and why they do them.
Recent news about the KCSO having 11 current and former officers indicted by a Grand Jury for issues related to its Narcotics Division, alleging misuse of funds, was the catalyst for my friend’s questions. The indictments include former sheriff J.J. Jones (2007-2018) and the current chief of detectives, David Amburn, now on administrative leave.
The questions I was asked:
- “What do you think about all of this?”
- “Were you aware that this had gone on?”
- “Do you know any of those who have been indicted?”
My answers:
- I don’t know exactly what to make of it all. It’s not easy to hear things from behind the big blue walls of law enforcement.
- I had no clue or clues or even heard any whispers about any of this. The blue wall of secrecy again. They don’t discuss their own.
- And yes, I know two of those indicted – Amburn and Capt. Aaron Yarnell, the KCSO’s technology guru who somehow juggles an assortment of programs and other areas he oversees.
I’ve never met or even spoken to Jones or Henderson.
Yarnell was an Our Town Hero back on July 29, 2019, and here is the LINK to that story.
I interviewed him at the City-County Building, and his office was then across the hall from Amburn’s. That day was also the first time I’d met and shaken hands with Amburn.
The short version of that profile – Captain Yarnell handled a lot of responsibility. He’s now on leave.
Now, my turn for a question or two … or three maybe.
Assuming all of this is true, the alleged offenses occurred over an eight-year period from 2010 to 2018, totaling well over $300,000. Plus, investigators found that more than $30,000 in cash seized during undercover drug investigations that was allegedly spent on personal expenses for a number of these indicted. You can read more details in the official news release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) at this LINK.
The FBI investigated this alleged conspiracy starting in 2019, and the only person indicted was Henderson. He subsequently entered a guilty plea and is facing prison. The federal authorities did mention that others may have been involved or “culpable” – but none were indicted.
In 2024, the TBI, working with the FBI, launched a second investigation, which led to these recent indictments. The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference in Nashville reported that TBI began working with the FBI in 2024 to review evidence gathered during the 2019 federal investigation.
My questions:
- Why was the FBI not able to indict these people after its original investigation?
- Why did it take the TBI stepping in to eventually get to the issues of who was doing what and when?
- Who was buying all of this technology, and from where? Vendors? Online? Who controlled the credit card?
No doubt many within the KCSO were aware of what was happening, but none, as far as we know, stepped up to expose this conspiracy. Or did someone actually step up and talk? Finally?
This kind of mess happens when “the secrets at the KCSO” are hidden, and that thing called transparency is an afterthought. You can only operate in the shadows for so long until someone turns on the lights.
During 34 years in the news business, this is the type of story we said “had legs” – meaning this story may be going somewhere, but we didn’t know where it was going and exactly when it would get there. Maybe it will end up in courtrooms. Maybe plea bargains will be reached. My guess is that this story will have a long legal shelf life. More people could possibly be dragged into it. That has happened in similar cases.
The new Knox County sheriff, Brent Gibson, begins work on September 1 after being sworn in, and he has a huge job ahead. He says that while “everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the indictments are a black eye for the department.” How about two black eyes with accompanying scars and bruises?
Gibson has a monumental task to rebuild this department and the community’s trust in it. As in integrity. All while this case and its allegations will be ongoing.
One last question: What now? No clue, says I. Wait, read, watch, stay tuned.
And good luck to Sheriff-Elect Gibson.
Tom King has been the editor of newspapers in Texas and California, and also worked in Tennessee and Georgia. If you have someone you think we should consider featuring, please email Tom at the link with his name or text him at 865-659-3562.
