Clinton County deputies are in an active search for Jesse Phillips, a Tennessee man wanted in a Pickett County murder case, after his pickup truck turned up inside the county. Phillips, who is charged with second‑degree murder, is considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are warning the public not to approach him under any circumstances.
What officials say
According to LEX18, Pickett County (Tenn.) 911 alerted Clinton County on Wednesday that the suspect might be in the area. A deputy later found a small black pickup with a yellow hood at a residence on Norman Cole Road. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office says the investigation remains active and that local deputies are coordinating closely with Tennessee authorities.
Suspect description and vehicle
Authorities describe Phillips as a white male, about 5'11" and 215 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes and multiple tattoos, including a half‑barbed‑wire, half‑tribal design on his left arm and an "oulaw" marking on his right elbow. Officials warn he is armed and dangerous, according to WNKY. The pickup was left at a residence in Clinton County while the manhunt for Phillips continues.
Cross‑border search in a rural area
The search traces back to an alleged shooting in Pickett County, a remote Tennessee county that sits along the state line near Albany, Kentucky. That proximity means suspects can move quickly between small border communities, and local departments often have to coordinate across state lines. Byrdstown and neighboring towns sit just south of the Kentucky border, so information‑sharing between Pickett and Clinton counties is routine in cross‑border cases. According to Wikipedia, Pickett County lies immediately south of Clinton County across the state line.
Legal note
Phillips is charged with second‑degree murder, which Tennessee law classifies as a Class A felony and generally carries a punishment range of about 15 to 60 years, according to state legislative materials summarizing TCA 39‑13‑210 from the Tennessee General Assembly. That classification places the case in the most serious tier of felony prosecutions and comes with significant potential prison time if the charge is proven.
How to help
Clinton County authorities stress that Phillips should not be confronted by residents. Anyone who believes they have seen him or has information on his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately and report details to local law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and deputies are asking residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to emergency dispatch.
