Some criminal records can be erased

As of last month (July 2012), individuals who have  been convicted of certain non-violent crimes and
have maintained a clean record will have an opportunity to have that conviction erased from their
criminal history. The legislature passed a law that went into effect July 1 which allows
Tennesseans to have certain crimes expunged, or cleaned off their record.

The types of crimes that are eligible are non-violent, non-DUI and non-sexual crimes. Many misdemeanors and certain Class E felonies including forgery, theft, vandalism and fraudulent insurance claims are
also among those that are eligible.
 
The bill was passed to allow individuals with minor offenses in their past, but otherwise a crime-free history, a chance to start with a clean slate. This opportunity is not available for anyone who has already had diversion or been convicted of other crimes. Once a record is expunged, the courts treat it as if that charge
never occurred.
 
There are several stipulations that must be met before qualifying to have a record expunged.
Individuals must have completed all the terms  of their sentencing, including payment of all
restitution, fines and court costs. At least five years must have elapsed from the completion of
that sentence, and they must have remained free of alcohol or substance abuse for one year. There
is also a fee of $350 to help defray costs of the process.
 
"This is the first time this ‘extraordinary relief’ has been available in Tennessee," says District Attorney General Torry Johnson. "Here in Davidson County, our office has a great working relationship with Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry and his office, and we are coordinating with them in carrying out the requirements spelled out in this new law. "We'll be working together to ensure that the individuals who qualify meet all the necessary requirements and comply strictly with the process."

Anyone interested in determining whether they qualify can go to the Davidson County District Attorney General's website (www.da.nashville.gov) for links to the list of crimes that are eligible, and the other requirements of the law. A petition to expunge an eligible conviction can be filled out at the Davidson County
Criminal Court Clerk's office the second floor of the Justice A. A. Birch Courthouse. Directions
and maps to that building are also on the D.A.'s website.

THP seeks hit-and-run truck

The Tennessee Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in locating a vehicle that may be connected to a hit and run pedestrian crash in Montgomery County.  The crash occurred on Trough Springs Road near Cedarmont Drive on Thursday, August 16th.

At approximately 7:52pm, Sarah Denny, 41, of Clarksville, was jogging eastbound on Trough Springs Road when what was suspected to be a silver truck struck her and continued traveling. Ms. Denny was injured in the incident.

A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the hit-and-run crash. He was taken into custody on suspicion of leaving the scene of an injury accident. Investigators believe the man is withholding information on the whereabouts of the suspected vehicle.

The suspected vehicle was described as a silver pickup truck with a silver toolbox in the bed of the vehicle. The vehicle may have sustained damage in the right front and on the right outside mirror.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information on the wreck is urged to contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol at 615-741-2060 ext. 3446.

Beckoning all Wilson County citizens

Your assistance is needed with information on a wanted person.
Please forward this message to everyone you know and help bring this alleged sexual predator to justice.
   Stephen Eugene Beck (shown here) was indicted in August of 2010 in Wilson County on nine counts of Rape of a Child, 16 counts of Rape, and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Beck was also indicted in August of 2010 in Rutherford County on three counts of Rape of a Child. Beck was released on a total of 1.15 million dollar bond in both Wilson and Rutherford Counties. Beck was to report to the Criminal Court of Wilson County to set the trial date on July 25, 2011, but Beck failed to appear.

Beck was last seen in Wilson County at 8:00am Monday July 25 2011. Stephen Eugene Beck has been on the TBI Most Wanted Fugitives list for a year and a $2,000.00 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Stephen Eugene Beck is 5'11" and weighs 240 pounds. Date of birth: 10/27/1970. He has a tattoo on his left shoulder with a heart  with the name "April" across it. Beck has dark hair with hazel eyes. 

If you know the whereabouts or have any information on Stephen Beck, contact SA Louis Kuykendall with the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or the Wilson County Sheriff's Department at 615-444-1412.

Knight not in shining armor

A tip to Crime Stoppers led to Monday’s arrest of convicted felon James Knight, 33, in the August 8th early morning robberies of two convenience stores.

In the first case, Knight is accused of entering the Daily’s at 7691 Highway 70 South at 4:50 a.m. and demanding cash at knifepoint. The clerk and suspect struggled before the robber fled with six packs of cigarettes.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Knight allegedly entered the Mapco at 4314 Harding Pike and again demanded cash at knifepoint. The cashier complied.

Knight, of South 6th Street, is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. He has previous convictions for felon in possession of a weapon, cocaine possession, and theft.

A Miller High Life or death situation

If running out of beer isn't an emergency, what is?  The CNN news video link below celebrates man's -- or at least one man's -- ingenuity in the face of dire necessity. The video came from the Maury County 911 Dispatch and WSMV.

The caller was charged with the crime of making a non-emergency call to 911. We think he should be commended, for not wanting to drive while intoxicated.

Watch the video

Franklin Police conducting DUI checkpoint on Friday

On the evening of Friday, 08/24/2012, the Franklin Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Hillsboro Road and Poteat Place. 

Last year, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office awarded the Department with a $50,000 grant to use for anti-DUI initiatives including DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, training, and equipment. Overtime for officers working this checkpoint will be paid by that grant. 

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving and impaired-related crashes constitute one of the nation’s leading health problems. These events result in more deaths each year than do total homicides, and alcohol is a factor in 33% of all crashes in the United States. 

Visit the Booze It & Lose It site

Tips put names to the unknown and criminals in jail

In June, Franklin Police released video of a suspect, caught on tape, pocketing several pairs of high-end sunglasses – but didn’t have a name to go with the face. That changed soon after local media began running surveillance photos and video of the actual theft in progress. Tips to Franklin Police and Williamson County Crime Stoppers, along with anonymous text tips to Franklin PD all pointed to this man: 30-year-old Brandon Doubler of Clarksville. 

Franklin Police say this is a prime example of what a powerful crime-fighting force an engaged public can be when partnering with police. “In addition to the traditional Crime Stoppers program available in most communities, we offer our citizens the ability to provide anonymous text and web tips,” said Lt. Charles Warner. “The great thing about our program is that we can actually text back, engaging tipsters in real-time, two-way conversation, all while guaranteeing their anonymity. We want your information, not your name.” 

Doubler, charged with Felony Theft, is a convicted felon who was on probation at the time of his crime in Franklin. He is free after posting a $1,000 bond and due in court on August 30. 

If you had recognized this suspect putting sunglasses into his pockets, you could have put up to $1,000 in yours. Call Crime Stoppers at (615) 794-4000 for more info.

To sign up and receive regular alerts about criminals at large, visit nixle.com, or text your Zip code to 888777 and receive mobile alerts. 

To send an anonymous tip to Franklin Police, text the keyword 615FPD, along with your message to 847411 (Tip411), or call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513