An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a New Tazewell police officer on official misconduct and theft charges.
According to a news release from the TBI, on August 2, at the request of Eighth District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI Special Agents began investigating the circumstances surrounding the theft of evidence from the New Tazewell Police Department. The investigation revealed that Winford Todd Daniels, a patrolman with the department, was allegedly responsible for stealing previously seized narcotics from the New Tazewell Police Department between May 5 and July 27.
On Oct. 26, the Claiborne County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Daniels, 38, with official misconduct and theft under $500.
Daniels was suspended without pay until the next New Tazewell Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, according to NTPD Chief Ben Evans.
“They will decide what to do about the situation,” he added.
The next BMA meeting is scheduled for Nov. 8.
“We requested that the TBI investigate the issue through the Eighth Judicial District Attorney’s office,” said Evans. “The evidence was sent to the TBI crime lab and as a result he was questioned.”
After the indictment was handed down, Daniels turned himself into the Claiborne County Jail and was released on a $1,000 bond.
The Claiborne Progress will have more on this story as it develops.
