Raid at Claiborne Co. Justice Center
Published 4:39 pm Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation were at the Claiborne County Justice Center all day Tuesday, reportedly conducting an investigation into the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office in Tazewell, Tennessee.
Sources have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing, as agents were seen entering and exiting the building. The TBI mobile unit was parked outside the Justice Center.
An agent outside of the Justice Center referred the media to the FBI. Jared Effler, 8th Judicial District Attorney General, referred all questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Knoxville, Tennessee. When reached, Sharry Dedman-Beard, the public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said “It is the policy of our office to not comment on ongoing investigations.”
Witnesses reported that agents were going through vehicles outside the Justice Center Tuesday morning.
Sheriff David Ray could not be reached for comment and calls to the CCSO went to voicemail.
Various officers with the CCSO would not comment. A person inside the Justice Center told the media that Ray and others with the CCSO were “out to lunch” around noon.
Claiborne County Mayor Jack Daniels confirmed that agents were at the County Finance Office on Tuesday, in addition to the Justice Center. He had no further comment.
The Claiborne Progress and Middlesboro Daily News are following this closely and will have more information as it becomes available.