The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an active phone scam targeting the community. Several people have reported calls from someone claiming to be “Lt. Johnson,” who says he oversees a special jail program due to overcrowding. The caller tells families their loved one cannot bond out until after the holiday, then offers an early release in exchange for immediate payment, according to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office will never call to ask for money, does not use third parties to collect payments, and does not offer release from jail in exchange for money over the phone. Scammers may sound official and convincing, but the information they provide is often inaccurate or does not match verified details.
If you receive a call like this, do not share any personal or financial information and hang up right away. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a scam should contact Loudon County E-911 Dispatch at 865-458-9081 to speak with a deputy. For questions about arrests in Loudon County, call the Loudon County Detention Facility at 865-986-6612, as reported by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
