"Many of the machines accept currency, to include $20 bills, an amount significantly greater that the usual 50-cent charge for regular video amusement machines," the applications stated. "The machines often bear signs indicating that they are 'for amusement only,' but, to the knowledgeable patron, payoffs for winnings are available from workers in the establishments," Rushing's application noted. The application noted that according to "cooperating witnesses and confidential informants" the machines are located in bars, restaurants, convenience markets and other retail establishments. His application for installation of the mobile tracking device also said, "Gambling machines, commonly known as video poker machines, have long been reported to be in operation throughout Cocke County." "Your deponent (Special Agent Rushing) further states that there is probable cause to believe that the installation of a mobile tracking device placed in or on the subject vehicle, and monitoring of the mobile tracking device, will lead to evidence of the aforementioned violations as well as to the identification of individuals who are engaged in the commission of those and related crimes," Rushing wrote in his application for a judge's permission to install the tracking device. The document specifically asked for permission to place a tracking device on a green Plymouth Grand Voyager van, determined by the FBI to have been possessed and operated by Jarrod Taylor. chief deputy Pat Taylor, to further the illegal gambling." On the second page of the document, Rushing states, in part, "Since 2001, the FBI has been conducting an investigation into public corruption and other illegal activities in Cocke County.One aspect of that investigation involves illegal gambling businesses, to include cockfights and gambling machines in bars, and payments to law enforcement officers, to include Cocke County Sheriff D.C. Rushing filed the application with the court a year ago and, as part of the application, requested that it be sealed because, ".the disclosure of the application and affidavit would seriously jeopardize the investigation, to include endangering the life or physical safety of informants and cooperating witnesses, destruction of or tampering with evidence, and intimidation of potential witnesses." on charges they conspired with former Cocke County Sheriff's Deputy Larry Joe Dodgin to traffic in stolen merchandise.įBI Special Agent Lane P. Records unsealed on Wednesday were connected to the FBI's case against Cocke County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Patrick Taylor and his brother, Jarrod Taylor, and concerned an application filed in federal court to place a tracking device on Jarrod Taylor's vehicle. Ramsey has been named in a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into public corruption in Cocke County. GREENEVILLE-Documents unsealed in federal court in Greeneville on Wednesday officially reveal that Cocke County Sheriff D.C. F.B.I Documents reveal Sheriff Ramsey under scrutinyīy: GARY BUTLER Source: The Newport Plain Talk 01-12-2006
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |