Sunday, August 12, 2018

Roberts indictment
A former Cocke County Court Bailiff has been indicted by a Cocke County Grand Jury following an investigation by the Office of Fourth Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn. Eric Michael Roberts, 40, St. James Road, Greeneville is named on a sealed presentment returned by the grand jury on Wednesday. The Investigation was conducted by Criminal Investigator Tracy Ivey. Roberts is charged with Official Misconduct, Perjury, Criminal Simulation and Forgery. The presentment alleges the offenses occurred on November 20, 2017, when Roberts allegedly forged a document. The violation allegedly involved a false statement on an official document, which stated on it's face that a false statement is subject to the penalties of perjury. Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes said Roberts applied to the Sheriff’s Office and followed all Civil Service procedures to be put on the roster to be considered for employment. The criminal background check was completed and it showed no record of a military court marshal. But the sheriff says the background check should have shown such a court marshal. "Based on our investigation, the military failed to input criminal records into the national database some years back. After being hired for employment, the Sheriffs Office conducted an internal investigation and determined falsified documents had been given to the Sheriffs Office. At that point, Eric Roberts employment ended," the sheriff said. The internal investigation findings were provided to the District Attorney Office and the Post Commission. The Sheriffs Office presented information to a grand jury and the presentment was returned. Cocke County Administrative Deputy Lt. C.J. Ball is prosecuting the case. Roberts is free on a $5,000 bond.


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