KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Prosecutors have filed a superseding indictment in the ongoing Knox County Sheriff’s Office corruption and theft case involving 11 current and former KCSO employees and associates.
The new indictment, filed Wednesday, replaces the original indictment issued earlier this year and includes several revisions, including changes to witness lists and updates to Tennessee code references contained in the conspiracy count.
According to court filings, prosecutors changed language alleging the defendants conspired to violate Tennessee Code 39-13-104 rather than Tennessee Code 39-14-104, among other modifications. The original code reference dealt with theft of services, while the updated code focuses on conduct resulting in injury.
Defense attorney T. Scott Jones criticized the revised indictment, arguing the changes indicate prosecutors are struggling with the case.
“They have attempted to correct language, and yet they’ve fallen short once again,” Jones said, noting that the latest filing also corrected misspellings of some defendants’ names. “I think it shows how much trouble the state is having with this case.”
A superseding indictment does not necessarily mean the original indictment was defective. Prosecutors commonly use superseding indictments to update allegations, clarify charges, revise witness information or add new details as a case progresses.
Notably, the new indictment does not include five additional individuals mentioned in a previous recusal notice filed by Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen. Those individuals are expected to face charges connected to the investigation, but indictments have not yet been served.
The case is considered one of the most significant public corruption investigations involving the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in recent history. Investigators allege the defendants improperly used KCSO resources, funds and work time for personal benefit in activities that occurred before 2018.
The 11 defendants currently facing charges are:
- David Henderson, retired KCSO assistant chief deputy
- James “J.J.” Jones, former Knox County sheriff
- David Amburn, assistant chief deputy
- Aaron Yarnell, KCSO captain
- Curtis Nathan Cole, former narcotics detective
- Lake Lowry, former KCSO sergeant
- Franklin “Rocky” Lowery, KCSO lieutenant
- Tim Isaacs, KCSO sergeant
- John Hopkins, retired KCSO captain
- James Hammond, KCSO captain
- Mike Kidd, civilian
Many of the defendants were formally booked on the charges in June at the City-County Building in Knoxville. Defense attorneys have indicated the filing of the superseding indictment could require the defendants to be re-booked as the case moves forward through the court system.
The case remains pending, and no trial date has been announced.
