A Blount County Sheriff's Office employee has been pulled off duty and placed on administrative leave without pay after what officials describe as "multiple allegations of misconduct" sparked both an internal review and a call for state-level help. Sheriff James Lee Berrong said he takes cases like this seriously and urged the public to give investigators room to work. So far, neither the nature of the allegations nor the employee's identity has been released.
County statement and internal probe
According to WATE, the employee was placed on leave on June 2 and is now at the center of an internal investigation. In a separate press release from the Blount County Sheriff's Office, officials confirmed that Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into any possible unlawful conduct. The sheriff's office also appealed to residents to let investigators do their work without interference, saying more information will be released when it is appropriate to do so.
Local reporting and sheriff's remarks
WATE echoed the timeline and reported that Sheriff Berrong underscored his department's commitment to professionalism and integrity. Reporter Hope McAlee noted that, according to the sheriff, "no employee is above the law" and the office will fully cooperate with outside investigators. When the station sought additional comment from prosecutors, the District Attorney's Office pointed them back to the information in the sheriff's office release.
TBI involvement and how such probes work
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, as outlined on its own materials, handles independent criminal investigations, forensic analysis and other specialized work, typically when local prosecutors ask for assistance. TBI agents have previously been called into Blount County to help with cases such as officer-involved shootings, a pattern illustrated in coverage from WVLT. The current request from District Attorney Desmond does not automatically mean criminal charges are coming. Any referral for charges would come only after the TBI and the DA's office wrap up their review.
What we still don't know
Key details remain under wraps. Officials have not said what the allegations involve, what specific role the employee holds in the department, or whether the investigation centers on something that happened while the employee was on duty. There is also no public timetable for when the inquiries will end or if prosecutors will ultimately pursue charges.
Residents who want to keep an eye on official developments can track public records and announcements through the Blount County website. Sheriff Berrong has said the office will share more information "as appropriate and consistent with the integrity of the investigation." Anyone who believes they have relevant information can contact the sheriff's tip line or send an anonymous message through the department's contact portal, listed on the Blount County Sheriff's Office site.
