Ed Byers 21st Century Criminal Justice

09/04/2026

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09/03/2026

https://www.wlky.com/article/7-clark-county-indiana-men-arrested-child-s*x-crimes/73606036?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUGizxjbGNrBQaLAXBkb2YBZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeVlftB4Ip-ciAExory3XU_TX_e8mcmyqiOB4uKf5qFkX8_ndUURks_m8csXI_aem_Ly1oATPV7UKqkjGUsSUI_w

Seven men who live in Clark County, Indiana have been arrested, accused of s*x crimes involving children.

09/03/2026

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TIK TOK TREND GONE WRONG

Yes, we watch TikTok.

A few weeks ago, some of our officers noticed self-proclaimed “urban explorers” breaking into various buildings in Clarksville. One widely viewed and shared video showed multiple people damaging the front door of the Regal Cinemas building to gain entry. That’s criminal mischief (which is a crime). They then walked around inside the locked building. That’s criminal trespass (believe it or not, also a crime). Other videos posted by various accounts showed people damaging property within the building, resulting in an almost $10,000 repair bill for the property owners.

Those videos directly influenced us to keep a watchful eye on the old theater—and unfortunately, they also influenced other young people to make some very poor decisions.

On August 29, close to midnight, several individuals were observed entering the theater. Officers followed them inside, and the individuals attempted to flee. Unfortunately for them, the building was surrounded by Clarksville’s (and Jeffersonville’s — thanks for the assist 👍) finest.

Nine young people were arrested for criminal trespass and resisting law enforcement. All of these individuals stated that they had seen videos of the break-ins on TikTok, and wanted to follow the trend.

There are some important lessons to be learned from this:

1. Don’t commit crime.
2. Don’t commit crime and post it on social media.
3. Don’t run from the police—especially when you have nowhere to go.
4. Make smart decisions.

Oh, and for those of you who have already posted videos of breaking into buildings in Clarksville…

You can keep those videos posted. We already have them downloaded and we will be chatting soon. 😉

09/02/2026

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09/02/2026

09/01/2026

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The Gatlinburg Police Department is accepting applications for Police Officer.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: The current starting pay for a Police Officer is $66,509.04. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, newly sworn Officers advance to $69,107.04.

Included in the benefits package are: 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental, long-term disability and life insurance. Employees who also choose family health insurance coverage have approximately two-thirds of this cost covered by the City.

The City of Gatlinburg also participates in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS).

Full-time, classified employees of the City are granted 12 paid holidays a year and earn vacation time and 12 sick days per year. The City also offers a paid parental leave program and a wellness program.

Also, each December, City Employees are awarded an annual longevity bonus, based on the years of service.

Additionally, Gatlinburg Police Department Officers are eligible for Educational Incentive Bonuses. The Gatlinburg Police Department provides all uniforms and equipment.

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications must pass a physical agility test, background verification, written test, and a personnel assessment.

🚨 APPLY ONLINE 🚨 https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/o/gatlinburg/page/apply-for-a-job

Job posting closes at 4 p.m. on September 15, 2026.

08/31/2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2026

JACKSON COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE FILES CHARGES AGAINST FORMER SHERIFF’S DEPUTY

On Monday, Jackson County Prosecutor Lynsey N. Fleetwood filed criminal charges against Skylar N. Thompson, a former deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, following an investigation by the Indiana State Police.

Thompson has been charged with Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony, and Fraud, a Class A Misdemeanor. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the alleged misconduct while conducting a routine audit of its FLOCK camera system. The audit revealed that Thompson allegedly conducted 2,055 searches of the same license plate between December 31, 2025, and August 2, 2026.

The affidavit further alleges that Thompson listed “City Planning/Traffic Analysis” as the justification for each search despite having never been assigned duties involving city planning or traffic pattern analysis.

Upon discovering the suspected misuse, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office immediately contacted the Indiana State Police to conduct an independent investigation and notified the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Once these suspected abuses of authority came to light, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office took swift action, and as a result, Thompson is no longer employed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and facing criminal charges.

Law enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information and investigative tools, and that access must be used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. No person is above the law, especially those entrusted with enforcing it.

We appreciate the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for identifying the suspected misuse through its own audit and immediately referring the matter for an independent investigation.

The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and has a no-tolerance policy in cases where public trust is violated.

As with every criminal case, the charges filed are allegations only, and Thompson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

08/31/2026

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Welcome to our new weekly series on Crime Prevention; Informational tips anyone can use to help prevent becoming a victim of all kinds of crime. Using this series each week, as a public courtesy; we will provide some simple tips to consider for practicing personal and property crime prevention.

Keeping emergency contact information updated ensures that first responders can reach your loved ones and access vital medical facts in a crisis.

Why It Matters -
Faster Help: Responders can quickly identify you and know who to call.
Medical History: Your contacts or profile can share allergies, medicines, or health conditions.
Peace of Mind: Families know what is happening much sooner.

How to Update Your Info -
Smartphones: Use the built-in Medical ID feature on iOS or Android to add emergency contacts and medical data on your lock screen.
Wallets: Keep a small, printed card with your name, blood type, allergies, and contact numbers in your wallet or purse.
Work and School: Log into your employer or school portal yearly to refresh phone numbers and addresses.

For more crime prevention tips and information, visit www.ctownpd.com/Prevention