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Williams given 10 year term in arson incident
A Newport man charged with setting fire to vehicles and a home in the Northport community in 2014, Tuesday pleaded guilty in Cocke County Circuit Court to the resulting charges. Tony Williams, 49, Blazer Street, Newport, pleaded guilty to three counts of setting fire to personal property and one count coercion of a witness. The indictment charged that Williams attempted to influence a witness or prospective witness, to testify falsely or withhold truthful testimony. An aggravated arson charge was dismissed in the plea agreement. In May, 2014, the defendant was arrested on charges stemming from a fire at a neighboring property which destroyed vehicles owned by John S. and Leslie Jones on Pikeview Street in Newport. The damage totaled more than $60,000. Judge Ben Hooper imposed a 10 year term, at 45 percent. He ordered Williams to have no contact with the victims or their property. Restitution was not ordered, because according to Asst. Prosecutor Tonya Thornton, the damage was covered by insurance. Because of Williams criminal history including convictions for aggravated arson in 2001, his bond at the time of his arrest was set at $500,000. He remained in custody till the case was resolved. The defendant is the father of Brandon Williams who in August, 2011, was attacked by dogs, tearing off his ears, and leaving him with serious injuries Dennis Thornton,59, Golf Course Road, Newport operator of Poe's Sporting Center, pleaded guilty to the use of a counterfeit mark or logo over $10,000. Investigators said the charges involved more than 25 counterfeit sweatshirts, hats, jackets, phone cases, headphones, purses/handbags, boots and heat transfers valued at more than $10,000. Judge Hooper gave Thornton a two year sentence which will be served on probation, but the court also granted judicial diversion for the defendant. So after two years, if Thornton remains offense-free, he will be able to ask that the conviction be expunged. ] A part of the plea agreement provides that the counterfeit items be turned over to the sheriff's department for destruction. In response the court suggested that to destroy the clothes would not be wise. "All were counterfeited items that cannot be re-used, sold or distributed," responded Asst. DA Tonya Thornton. "That is a waste," said Judge Hooper.
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