Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Indictment Issued Against Former Iron City Police Chief
Former Iron City Police Chief Jesse Barnett, age 30, was taken into custody Tuesday after a Lawrence County Grand Jury opted to issued indictments against him.
Barnett as fired from the police chief position in November of last year after he allegedly took actions that had not been approved by that city’s council.
Authorities alleged that he had amassed expenses not approved by the council, including the hiring of various police officers and numerous purchases made without authorization. In addition, city officials cited that Barnett had been involved in three motor vehicle crashes within a six month period.
An investigation into an arrest made by Barnett last year was scrutinized by members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. As a result of that investigation evidence against Barnett was presented to the grand jury for consideration.
Barnett was booked through the Lawrence County Jail Tuesday on charges of false imprisonment and official misconduct. He is scheduled to answer those charges through Lawrence County Circuit Court on May 10, 2010.
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