Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Chuck Mason arrest
Chuck Mason is back in custody. Charles "Chucky" Mason, Jr., 41, Happy Hollow Road, Parrottsville, in 2016 was given a 20-year probation term after he pleaded guilty as a Range II offender to the Aggravated Assault of three individuals. Then in November 2016, officers with the Cocke County Sheriff's office and the Tennessee Department of Corrections found Methamphetamine, bullets and shotgun shells, various pills, and drug paraphernalia in his home. In addition, Probation Officer Darrell Kerr testified that Mason had been tampering with his required GPS ankle monitor. As a result, last year, Judge Rex Henry Ogle ordered the sentence served. But earlier this year, Defense Attorney Troy Bowlin filed a motion asking that the sentence be set aside based on a Court of Criminal Appeals ruling which held that "a warrantless search provision in a probation agreement does not permit the State to search a probationer's home without reasonable suspicion justifying the search." Bowlin argued the Department of Corrections officers and Cocke County Deputies had no search warrant to justify the search which led to the probation violation arrest. As a result, Judge Ogle ruled that Mason should be "immediately released" and again placed on probation for the remainder of his sentence. Charges from the search, Possession of Schedule II, four counts Possession of a Legend Drug and Tampering with a GPS device, are still pending in Cocke County Sessions Court. A violation of probation warrant was issued on February 26, by Judge Ogle. "Chuck Mason was aware that he was wanted by authorities and was evading capture and refused to turn himself in," the sheriff said. Probation Officer Darrell Kerr issued the warrant saying Mason had failed to appear for two scheduled appointments in February. On Tuesday, Sheriff Armando Fontes announced that Mason had again been taken into custody. Sheriff's office personnel, United States Marshall's Office and investigators with the office of District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, captured Mason in Knoxville "at a residence believed to be involved in illegal activity," Fontes said. Mason is being held without bond in the Hawkins County Jail awaiting his court appearance.


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