Ex-Knox County sheriff among 11 indicted over $300,000 in narcotics-card personal buys
A Knox County grand jury in May 2026 indicted former Sheriff James "J.J." Jones and 10 current or former Knox County Sheriff's Office personnel, including an assistant chief deputy and three captains, on theft and conspiracy charges. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, evidence from an FBI investigation that began in 2019 showed a Narcotics Unit credit card was used from 2010 to 2018 for well over $300,000 in personal purchases such as electronics, hunting gear and home renovation materials, more than $30,000 in seized drug cash was spent on personal expenses, and officers did personal projects on duty with county vehicles. The local district attorney recused herself and a pro tem prosecutor took over. Sheriff Tom Spangler placed five current employees on leave. More defendants were added in August 2026. All charges are allegations and the cases are pending.
Spangler said the employees had been placed on leave.
Eleven current and former sheriff’s office employees are already facing theft and conspiracy charges for misuse of sheriff’s office funds, among other things.
The alleged purchases, made between 2010 and 2018, totaled well over $300,000. Investigators also learned that more than $30,000 in cash seized during undercover drug investigations was allegedly spent on personal expenses.
Sheriff Spangler said the case predates his 2018 election and that he will cooperate fully with the TBI.
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No outcome recorded yet.