Click here for daily updates on crimes committed by police:
[ Ссылка ]
Click here for daily updates on people killed by police:
[ Ссылка ]
MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) - The FBI and the TBI searched the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Robert Arnold's house in connection to an ongoing investigation.
Susan Niland, public information officer with the TBI, said they are investigating possible public corruption involving "multiple targets" within the sheriff's office.
The five locations that were searched on Thursday include Arnold's house in Murfreesboro and two homes of Administrative Chief Deputy Joe Russell, one of which is next-door to Arnold's home. Russell's other home is on Riverbend Drive.
The fourth location is the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, where FBI and TBI agents were seen carrying out boxes on Thursday morning. Agents said they are looking for documents and digital evidence that would indicate any possible wrongdoing.
Agents also searched the headquarters of JailCigs in Marietta, GA. The company is owned in part by the sheriff's aunt and uncle.
"We take allegations of public corruption very seriously, as do our partners at the TBI, and it's important that we consider that all parties are considered innocent until proven guilty, but it is our job, the TBI and the FBI, to find the facts, and that's what we are attempting to do today," said Jeffrey Peterson, assistant special agent in charge with the FBI.
The Channel 4 I-Team first revealed allegations that Arnold and Russell have personal stakes in JailCigs, which sells electronic cigarettes to inmates.
David Criswell is part of the citizens group Tennesseans Against Corruption and Oust Sheriff Arnold.
"When the e-cigs story first broke, we said, 'Hey you guys, it's time to do something,'" Criswell said. "This is ridiculous. He has given Rutherford County a bad name."
The groups are in the process of filing an ouster lawsuit to have Arnold removed from office.
"The sheriff has basically been giving contracts to his friends and family, not putting them up for bid like he is legally required to do, and that's wrong," Criswell said. "That's political corruption at the very core."
Channel 4 knocked on Arnold's door on Thursday afternoon, but he did not answer. Arnold remained inside his home all day Thursday.
Thursday afternoon, Rutherford County Commissioner Phillip Dodd issued the following statement:
"I am disappointed that our county sheriff is under suspicion of criminal behavior, but I am encouraged to see the FBI and TBI act quickly to pursue justice if wrongdoing is suspected. I am gratified that the Rutherford County Ethics Committee is willing to act as well having been called upon by citizens of Rutherford County regarding Sheriff Arnold's alleged behavior. I trust that the public servants who have the authority to seek evidence and confirm wrongdoing will see that justice is rendered."
