FBI Offering Reward for Help in Finding 3 People Missing from Knoxville Since 2018

FBI Offering Reward for Help in Finding 3 People Missing from Knoxville Since 2018

August 26, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The FBI is offering a reward for information on three people who went missing from Knoxville in 2018.

The FBI says it believes Bonnie Drane, William Inklebarger and Brenda Carroll were victims of foul play.

Police say they were in the same friend group and that they have a history of substance abuse but that it was out of character for the three to go without contacting their families.

They were also known to hang out with a man identified as Jeremy Jerome Hardison who is serving life in prison for a murder conviction.

Anyone with information as to what happened to Drane, Inklebarger or Carroll or their whereabouts is asked to call KPD at 865-215-7212, the FBI Knoxville Division at 865-544-0751 or East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. All tipsters can remain anonymous.

The FBI in Knoxville is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to finding Drane, Inklebarger, and Carroll.

The FBI said Bonnie Drane, William Inklebarger and Brenda Carroll were reported missing from Knoxville in early 2018. (Courtesy: FBI Knoxville)

Home a ‘Total Loss’ Following Early Morning Blaze on West 5th Avenue, Knoxville Fire Says

Home a ‘Total Loss’ Following Early Morning Blaze on West 5th Avenue, Knoxville Fire Says

August 26, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville home is a total loss following an early morning fire.

Knoxville Fire Department crews were called to the scene at 1432 West 5th Avenue just after 3:30 a.m. Monday morning to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the upper side of the home.

KFD says it took nearly an hour to put out the blaze; the home is a total loss.

Fire officials say there were two occupants living in the home who were able to evacuate without injury, and no firefighters were injured during the incident.

KFD crews called to an early morning house fire at 1432 West 5th Avenue. (Courtesy: KFD)
Judge Killed after Being Struck by Car in Jefferson County, Tennessee Highway Patrol Says

Judge Killed after Being Struck by Car in Jefferson County, Tennessee Highway Patrol Says

August 26, 2024

Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) A longtime judge for four East Tennessee counties has died following a crash in Jefferson County.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the crash occurred around 1:30 yesterday Sunday morning just outside of Dandridge near Mountain Vista Trail.

The crash report says fourth judicial district court Judge O. Duane Slone was walking along east Highway 25/70 when he was hit by a car.

He was elected to court in 1998 and served Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties.

In 2016, Sloane received an award for co-founding the local Drug Recovery Court and helping to bring awareness to kids born addicted to drugs.

The counties in which Slone worked saw the number of babies with addiction decrease.

Slone was 61 years old.

Many east Tennessee offices and officials took to social media to discuss the loss.

With heavy hearts we report the passing of 4th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Duane Slone who passed away early this morning from a tragic accident that occurred on 25/70 just east of the Dandridge City Limits. Judge Slone was a huge asset to our community and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of Judge Slone. – Dandridge Police Department

According to THP, no charges are pending against the driver of the car.

Judge O. Duane Slone (Courtesy: Tennessee Courts)

THP: Man Killed While Walking on I-40 in Jefferson County

THP: Man Killed While Walking on I-40 in Jefferson County

August 26, 2024

Jefferson County, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating after a pedestrian was struck and killed on I-40 in Jefferson County early Sunday morning.

According to a THP preliminary report, a tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on I-40 near mile marker 412 just before 1:00 a.m. when 45-year-old Tony Lee Ford, of Virginia, crossed the road from the right shoulder into the middle lane.

THP says the tractor-trailer was unable to brake in time and struck Ford, killing him.

According to the report, the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and is not facing charges.

Additional information has not been released.

THP said the incident happened early Sunday morning. (Courtesy: THP)
Knoxville Man Sentenced after Sexually Enticing Nearly 50 Minors, DOJ Says

Knoxville Man Sentenced after Sexually Enticing Nearly 50 Minors, DOJ Says

August 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of enticement of a child.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice say 29-year-old Dominique J. Starr was sentenced to 15 years in prison for soliciting nude photos and sex in 2022 from an undercover FBI agent who he thought was actually a 13-year-old girl.

“Starr also threatened to stalk, kidnap, and rape the purported minor,” DOJ officials said.

Two other FBI offices reported that Starr was in contact with their undercover agents as well. Starr tried to get nude pictures from them and meet them for sex, according to officials with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The DOJ investigation into Starr’s social media accounts also revealed Starr had communicated with 47 other minors he thought were between the ages of 9 and 17 years old.

Starr must also register as a sex offender and will be on 20 years of supervised release following his incarceration.

A Knoxville man was sentenced after he solicited nude photos and sex from people he believed to be minors online. (Courtesy: DOJ)
East Tennessee Man Sentenced for Child Sex Crimes

East Tennessee Man Sentenced for Child Sex Crimes

August 23, 2024

Sevierville, TN (WOKI) A Sevierville man was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to child sex crime charges.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice say 47-year-old Ronnie Joe Maples was sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Federal investigators say Maples and another individual were messaging one another in November of 2022 about molesting children and producing child pornography on the internet.

During these discussions, Maples received child pornography from this individual.

The person with whom Maples was corresponding cooperated with investigators leading to Maples’ arrest.

Maples must also register as a sex offender and will be on lifetime supervised release following his incarceration.

A man was sentenced Thursday after he plead guilty to child sex crime charges. (Courtesy: DOJ)
Knoxville Service Provider Pleads Guilty to Dumping Pollutants into Holston River, Violating Clean Water Act

Knoxville Service Provider Pleads Guilty to Dumping Pollutants into Holston River, Violating Clean Water Act

August 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man and business have plead guilty to polluting the Holston River back in 2018.

Christopher Domermuth and Domermuth Environmental Services both plead guilty Tuesday to violating the Clean Water Act.

Domermuth operated DES which processes petroleum-contaminated soil and water in Knoxville.

“On July 26, 2018, DES workers rolled over a previously exhumed underground storage tank which spilled a mixture of petroleum and water onto a concrete pad at the facility. DES employees and Mr. Domermuth threw absorbent pads into the spilled mixture and then used a portable pump to pump the petroleum-contaminated mixture over a retaining wall at DES. The oily mixture flowed over a neighboring property and into a culvert leading to the Holston River.” – U.S. Department of Justice

Domermuth faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison followed by supervised release for up to one year.

(Pexels)

Man Facing ‘Litany of Charges’ after Crime Spree, Knoxville Police Say

August 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man has been charged with multiple felonies after an early-morning crime spree.

Officials with the Knoxville Police Department say 21-year-old Isaiah Shuman was arrested following an incident which began around 2:15 Friday morning at the Half Barrel bar on Cumberland Avenue.

Police say Shuman fled the area with a woman in his vehicle, refusing to let her out of the car despite her plea, after being kicked out of the bar for threatening to kill an employee.

KPD says Shuman subsequently crashed his car in the area of 17th Street, fled from that scene and allegedly broke into a home on Alfredda Delaney Street where he stole a phone before running out the back door.

Police say there were three people in the home at the time Shuman forced his way inside.

After a chase with University of Tennessee Police Department officers, Shuman was reportedly taken into custody.

According to KPD, Shuman now faces a “litany of charges,” including four counts of aggravated kidnapping, three counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one count each of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and reckless endangerment.

Both Shuman and the woman were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

The man faces 10 charges, according to the Knoxville Police Department. (Courtesy: KPD)

TBI Issues Endangered Child Alert for Three Knoxville Children

TBI Issues Endangered Child Alert for Three Knoxville Children

August 23, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued an Endangered Child Alert for three Knoxville children.

Special Crimes Detectives with the Knoxville Police Department and TBI are working to find 12-year-old Aki-Bakari Warren, 8-year-old Amena Hood and 5-year-old Amirr Warren.

TBI says all three children are believed to be with their non-custodial father, 43-year-old Aki Warren.

Anyone with information concerning their whereabouts is asked to call the Knoxville Police Department at 865-215-7165 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

All three children are believed to be with their non-custodial father. (Courtesy: TBI)

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