According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, a Sevier County man was arrested Friday March 11th 2011 in connection with several burglaries. Seals states that a joint investigation between Sevier Co. Sheriffs Office and Gatlinburg PD Detectives resulted in the arrest of Michael T. Holdsambeck, age 25 of 1442 Flatwood Road, Sevierville.

Investigators say that Holdsambeck has been charged with breaking into 9 rental cabins throughout the county and stealing flat screen TV’s. The investigation led officers to Knoxville where they were able to recover a stolen TV taken from one of the cabins. Holdsambeck is being held in Sevier County Jail charged with 9cts of Aggravated Burglary and 9 counts of Theft over $1000.00.

The case is still under investigation and more arrest and recoveries of stolen property are expected.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Brown at 428-1899.

The City of Sevierville Police Department has scheduled a Child Car Safety Seat Checkpoint from 10:00AM-2:00PM on March 19, 2011 at Mountain National Bank, 470 Collier Drive.

Through past checkpoints, the SPD has learned that many child car safety seats are no longer safe due to past accidents, the age of the seat, manufacturer recalls or missing parts. The SPD is committed to keeping our children safe, so when we determine that a child car safety seat is unsafe, we will provide a new seat to parents who cannot otherwise afford a replacement.

Despite good intentions, over 90% of child car safety seats are improperly installed.  In fact, over 40% of child fatalities in traffic accidents are due to improperly installed child car safety seats. Certified SPD officers will be available to perform inspections of the seats, demonstrate proper installation techniques and offer general assistance.

The current child restraint law applies to many children up to the age of 9-years old.  SPD officers will be available to answer questions regarding the child restraint law.

SPD encourages parents to join us in this effort to keep our children as safe as possible while riding in a car.

In addition to the above events, parents may also come to the SPD at 300 Gary Wade Blvd. for a seat inspection, when a technician is available. Please call in advance (453-5507) to ensure that a technician is on duty.

Sevierville Police stopped a Knoxville man Tuesday because of traffic violation and found crack cocaine, marijuana, and thousands in cash.

Corey Armstrong, 31, Knoxville, has been charged with the sale and delivery of crack cocaine, marijuana and a vehicle equipment violation by the Sevier County Police Department.

According to Sevierville Information Officer Bob Stahlke, SPD Officer Brandon Perry stopped Armstrong's 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe when he noticed the vehicle's reverse lights were malfunctioning and remaining on while the truck was rolling forward.

The stop led Officer Perry to discover 102 grams of crack cocaine, 9 grams of marijuana and $3,320 in cash.

Armstrong is currently booked in the Sevier County jail. 

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office has charged a Seymour man in connection with the burglaries of two rental cabins in Sevierville after he allegedly ran out the back door of a cabin as guests were checking in.

Reginald A. Pate, Seymour, has been charged with Aggravated Burglary by Sheriff's Deputies.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Saturday, March 5, around 7 p.m. guests checked into a cabin on Jed Trail off of Rainbow Road. Upon opening the door, guests witnessed a man run out the back door of the cabin.

A description of the suspect, it is not clear at this time if Pate was the man seen running from the scene, and a of the vehicle used to escape was given to deputies.

A short time later a deputies responded to another burglary call on Upper Middle Creek Road at Starcrest Cabin Resort where a maintenance man had encountered another man matching the first suspect's description.

While deputies were unable to track the suspect using a K-9 unit, Sevier Police stopped a car matching witness reports a short time later and arrested Pate as a suspect, later charging him with two counts of burglary after recovering a stolen television set.

Officials say that another suspect is still being sought and more charges are a possibility for Pate. They ask that anyone with details contact detective Johnny Bohanan at 428-1899.

A Sevier County man is has been transported to Vanderbilt Hospital after suffering third degree burns after an explosion in Wears Valley today.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, David Ownby, 28, Happy Hollow Road, Sevierville, was severely burned after throwing ethanol racing fuel onto a fire that resulted in an explosion. Ownby was burning plastic insulation off of copper wire in a fire pit when he threw the racing fuel onto the fire.

Ownby was transported to UT Hosptial by Lifestar and from there flown to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville to treat second and third degree burns over 90 percent of his body.

The Sheriffs Office Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the case.  

After about a year, the Sevierville Police Department has landed 570 followers on its Twitter page.

While it's not the millions of fans Charlie Sheen amassed in his recent foray into the medium, city officials say has been a great help disseminating needed information on emergency situations and road closers for the city and county over the last year.

“Twitter has been very good for us,” said Bob Stahlke, Sevierville Public Information Officer.

Stahlke and SPD Chief Don Myers referenced a wreck that shut down a large portion I-40 last week as an example of how the self-publishing tool allowed them to get information to the public faster than traditional media like television, radio or print can turn the information around.

“We use this also for training announcements, general information, and we're also considering the possibility of Facebook,” said Myers.

While SPD hasn't taken to posting more crime oriented information on Twitter because they say the 140 character limit could cause issue and concern over the accuracy of the information, the department thinks it may have room to properly inform people about suspects and persons interest through Facebook.

SPD started using Twitter to break emergency information after determining the email system that was in prior use wasn't doing an effective job getting information in a timely enough manner. Since users can receive text message updates to their cellular phones, officials believe this is one of the best ways to break emergency news to the public, but cautioned drivers that texting and driving are illegal in Tennessee. They say drivers should ask a passenger to text, or limit texting to before and after arriving or leaving a destinaton to promote road safety. 

“Twitter was a much better option for those folks that are not sitting right there at their computer at that time,” said Myers.

“Instead of it just being media oriented, anyone that's interested in the information can get it,” said Stahlke.

For more information, visit the http://twitter.com/seviervillepd

 Sevierville Police say a man wanted in connection with a hotel robbery in February has been arrest in Georgia.

United States Marshal's Service deputies arrested Larrick Degree, 38, of Athens, Tennessee with the February 13, 2011 robbery of the Clarion Inn Hotel in Sevierville.

Sevierville Police detective Tim Coulter has charged Degree with the robbery.

According to Coulter, Degree's arrest came about because of information received from public information tips. Coulter used increased media coverage to generate public interest according to information from the SPD.

U.S. Marshal's deputies from the Knoxville's Smoky Mountains Task Force worked in conjunction deputies in George to arrest Degree without incident in Calhoun, Georgia yesterday.

A photo of Degree is not yet available. 

Two vehicles with an unkown amount passengers collided at the intersection of Dolly Parton Parkway and Henderson Ave. in Sevierville around 3 p.m. today.

At least three police cruisers and rescue workers responded to the scene of the accident just a stone's throw away from the downtown area. The wreck tied up traffic heading both directions on Dolly Parton Parkway for at least half-an-hour this afternoon as the victims were assessed for injury.  

Minor injuries were reported by emergency dispatches, but at least one driver walked away from the accident. 

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Berry

A Sevier County man is in jail for the alleged burglary of a Creekside Drive home after neighbors' help led detectives to a suspect.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Justin Berry, 24, of Sevierville, has been charged with aggravated burglary. Berry also has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

“On February,10, 2011 a homeowner on Creekside Drive reported that his door had been forced open and several items were taken from his home while he was gone,” said Seals.

Detectives from the Sheriff's Office responded by interviewing the victims neighbors. After getting a clear description of a suspect and vehicle seen at the home near the time of the burglary, detectives arrested the Berry.

Berry is being held in the Sevier County Jail awaiting a March 21 hearing date.

“The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected,” said Seals.

The SCSO is asking for anyone with information to contact Detective James Breeden at 428-1899.  

Vaughn                                        James

A secret tracking device on a television stolen Tuesday from a Pigeon Forge rental cabin led Sevier County Sheriff's officers to the alleged thieves when they returned to sell a second stolen TV.

Matthew Vaughn, 24, of Kodak, and Justin L. James, 19, of Sevierville, have both been charged with two counts aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office for their alleged involvement in the theft of two flat screen televisions from cabins in the Hidden Mountain Resort.

Sevier county Sheriff Ron Seals said that detectives investigating a Tuesday burglary at Hidden Mountain Resort in Pigeon Forge discovered a GPS tracking system was inside a television stolen from one of the rental cabins on the property. Following the devices signal, detectives tracked the television to a home on Thorngrove Pike in Jefferson County.

It was determined by detectives that Vaughn and an unidentified male, who would later be identified as 19-year-old James, sold the TV to the home's occupants, Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday, detectives were alerted that Vaughn and James were returning to the Jefferson County residence to sell a second television to the occupants. Detectives intercepted the pair at the Jefferson county residence and determined that second TV was also stolen from the Hidden Mountain Resort.

Vaughn and James will have their preliminary hearing March 16 in Sevier County General Sessions Court.

Anyone with information on the two suspects is asked to contact Sevier County Sheriff's detective Jim Huddleston.  

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Two juveniles are in the custody of the Sevier County Sheriff's Office being pulled over driving the truck they allegedly stole from an outdoor attraction.

The pair of 14-year-olds, who's names have been withheld by the Sheriff's Office, allegedly stole a 1998 Ford truck from the parking lot of Smokey Mountain Ziplines on Mill Creek Road on the evening of February 11.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, Pigeon Forge Police stopped a truck matching the stolen vehicle's description Wednesday on Wears Valley Road, which caused two of the three passengers to flee the vehicle on foot. After a short foot chase, officers apprehended the two without incident.

Pigeon Forge Police officers contacted Sevier County Sheriff's Office detectives after determining the vehicle was the same truck reported Friday night.

The Sheriff's Office has charged both juveniles who fled the stolen vehicle each with a count of theft over $10,000, and the PFPD has charged the teenagers with additional charges for fleeing from an officer.

The third passenger in the stolen truck was determined to not have been involved with the theft of the vehicle, and was released without charges.

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Four more have been arrested in conjunction with last month’s sealed indictment that handed down a presentment for dozens of drug traffickers in Sevier County.

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Sevierville Police are looking for a suspect in connection with a Sunday night hotel robbery

Officials say the Clarion Inn at 1990 Winfield Dunn Parkway was robbed at 2:30 a.m., Sunday by an unidentified man that fled into the early morning.

“A hotel employee said that a man approached her, proceeded behind the service counter and demanded money,” SPD Officer Adam Akers said in a police report.

“The suspect then left the hotel through the front door with an undisclosed amount of money.”

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 5'6”- 5'10” in height and weighing 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact SPD Detective Tim Coulter at 865-453-5507.  

Barbara Riley, 19, Kodak, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $5,000 bond.

David Victor Berrios, 27, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was released on $2,500 bond.

Michael Lee Braswell, 38, Gatlinburg, was charged with identify theft and forgery by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. His bond had not been set.

Ricahrd T Chesson, 58, Oxford Alabama, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was released on $3,000 bond.

Kimberly Denise Hoyles, 41, Pigeon Forge, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $250 bond.

Richy Allen Huffaker, 43, Kodak, was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was released on $500 bond.

Matthew Steven Justus, 33, Sevierville, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $500 bond.

Aaron Ray Nelson, 26, Pigeon Forge, was charged with violation of probation and shoplifting by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. His bond had not been set.

Danny Jack Pemberton, 35, Sevierville, was charged with theft and public intoxication by the Sevierville Police Department. His bond had not been set.

Eric Henry Schoenholz, 50, Dandridge, was charged with seven counts of writing worthless checks by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Stephanie Lynn Bates, 23, Gardendale, Alabama, was charged with theft of property over $1,000 and two general sessions court misdemeanors by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department.

Victor David Berrios, 47, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held on $5,000 bond.

Richard T Chesson, 58, Oxford, Alabama, was charged with DUI by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held on $3,000 bond.

Christoper Lee Hall, 18, Sevierville was charged with vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $1,500 bond.

Kimberly Denise Hoyles, 41, Pigeon Forge, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.

Bryan Ogle II

 SPD Charges Suspect in Gas Station Robbery

The Sevierville Police Department charged Bryan Ogle II, 24, with aggravated robbery in connection with a January 12 gas station robbery.

According to SPD detective Kevin Bush, officers responded to an armed robbery report at the Exxon Zoomer's at 3423 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville where Ogle allegedly took money from the cash register and fled into the night.

After an investigation, SPD detectives arrasted and charged Ogle with aggravated robbery Monday.  

Five juveniles, aged 11 to 14, have been charged with aggravated burglary and vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.

Law enforcement officials say the juveniles, who's names have been withheld by the Sheriff's Office, allegedly spray painted and bashed in the windows of several vehicles on the property of a Dew Drop Lane home, before entering the unoccupied residence and taking “several items of value” January, 16, 2011.

Detectives' investigation over the last few weeks led to the arrests of the five juvenile suspects, and the recovery of some of the stolen items.

The five have been charted in the Sevier County Juvenile Court and are awaiting a hearing date. 

 Alejandro Gomes, 23, Pigeon Forge, was charged with DUI and driving without a license by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. He was being held in $2,500 bond.

Brittany Amber Harris, 23, Sevierville, was charged with domestic assault by the Sevierville Police Department. She was being held on $2,000 bond.

Gurvis Ricky Jewel, 48, Barton, Florida, was charged with crime simulation and public intoxication by the Sevierville Police Department. He was being held on $7,000 bond.

Derek Lynn King, 31, Sevierville, was charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. He was being held on $10,000 bond.

Jonathan Leroy Love, 48, Sevierville, was charged with DUI, violation of the implied consent and open containers law. He was released on $2,500 bail.

Brandon Keith Luttrell, 27, Sevierville, was charged with burglary and theft of property over $1,000 by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was being held on $7,500 bond.

Seth Aaron Smith, 21, New Market, TN, was charged with a felony, misdemeanor and theft of property by general sessions court. His bond had not been set.

Kathryn Stooksbury, 45, Seymour, was charged with burglary and crime simulation. She was released on $4,500 bond.

Alexis Velaquez, 28, Sevierville was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. She was released on $500 bond.

 Kenneth Ray Burnette, 39, Sevierville, was charged with assault by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,000 bail.

Courtney Brooke Cissell, 18, New Haven, Kentucky, was charged with general theft by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $2,500 bail.

Jessica Brooke Dempsey, 29, Seymour, was charged with driving on a suspended license by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department.

Alejandro Gomez, 23, Pigeon Forge, was charged with DUI and driving without a license by the Pigeon Forge Police Department. His bond had not been set.

Allanson William Hoyt, 19, was charged with aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was being held on $15,000 bond.

Amber Leeann Lauderdale, 26, Sevierville, was charged with general theft by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. She was released on $3,500 bond.

Bryan Lee Ogle, 24, Sevierville, was charged with robbery by the Sevierville Police Department. He was being held on $25,000 bond.

Sandra Kay Ownby, 54, Sevierville, was charged with public intoxication by the Sevier county Sheriff's Department. She was released on $250 bail.

Charles Shane Reagan, 20, was charged with vandalism by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $2,000 bond.

Isai Jaziehl Rodriguez, 20, Sevierville, was charged with DUI, driving with a license, and violation of the financial responsibility law.

Colin Neil Smith, 32, Sevierville, was charged with a second DUI by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. Her bond had not been set.

Justin Kyle Sutton, 25, Sevierville, was charged with DUI by the Sevierville Police Department. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Robert Brian Watson, 31, Maryville, was charged with aggravated burglary by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $40,000 bond.

Shawn Michael Wisell, 38, Sevierville, was charged with domestic assault by the Sevier County Sheriff's Department. He was released on $1,000 bond.  

Allanson W. Hoyt

Updated: 11:43