Following a months-long investigation by the Tennessee Department of Correction’s Office of Investigations & Conduct, four people were taken into custody on Thursday, December 2, 2021 and have been indicted by the Bledsoe County Grand Jury.
According to TDOC, three people have been indicted for conspiracy to bring drugs into the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. Betty Joe Poe, of Bristol, and Rocky Renfroe, of Kingsport, and Amber Lawson, of Greenville, were each charged with introduction of contraband into a penal facility and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility. Lawson was also charged with manufacture and possession of schedule III drugs.
Luke Tippy, of Crossville, a former correctional officer, was charged with theft up to $1,000 and official misconduct. After Peg Broadcasting questioned the language of the original TDOC Press Release regarding these charges, Tennessee Department of Correction Communications Director Dorinda Carter said that Luke Tippy, of Crossville, is not part of a contraband investigation at Bledsoe County Correctional Complex as referenced in the Press Release. The original Press Release has been removed from TDOC’s website.
TDOC Communications Director Dorinda Carter wrote in an email to Peg Broadcasting:
“Although the news release makes it clear that Mr. Tippy was not charged with introducing contraband, the headline of our release should have been different and we should have said three individuals were indicted for introduction of contraband and not “The individuals…” Therefore, I am removing the release from our website and apologize for the confusion. Thank you.”
TDOC did not reply to Peg Broadcasting requests to clearly state what, if any, charges Mr. Tippy may face.