A Hamblen County Jail employee has recently been ensnared in a drug-related incident which has led to several charges against him. According to WVLT News, Sheriff Chad Mullins expressed his grave disappointment over the arrest of corrections officer Michael Gibson on drug charges, stressing the tarnishing effect it has on the sheriff's office. "It's a disgrace for this to happen with one of our own, and it won't be tolerated," Mullins stated.
After working only around six months with the sheriff's office, Gibson was caught with narcotics in his car. The charges that have been levied against the officer include possession of heroin and suboxone, as well as drug paraphernalia. Despite the suspect, the Sheriff had been keeping a close watch on Gibson before the drugs made it into the jail, according to WATE. "I was a part of this investigation, we were watching for some time after receiving information," Mullins told WATE.
Adding to the narrative, WBIR reports that Gibson was apprehended before his scheduled shift, preventing him from distributing the narcotics within the correctional facility. He now faces multiple drug charges including possession of Schedule I and III narcotics, potentially referring to substances such as heroin and suboxone strips—both of which were found in his possession, according to court records.
"This type of behavior won’t be tolerated," Sheriff Mullins was quoted in a statement obtained by WBIR. He emphasized the responsibility his office bears in maintaining a drug-free environment within their facilities. Michael Gibson's arraignment was doing everything in its power to keep drugs out, it's slated for September 3 at 9 a.m., drawing the eyes of the local community to see how justice will be served in this case of policing those who should have been upholders of the law themselves.
