DISTRICT 9

District Attorney

Russell Johnson

Serving Loudon, Meigs, Morgan and Roane County | Tennessee

Both of Gen. Russell Johnson’s parents, Lawrence and Dr. Martha Russell Johnson, were teachers and instilled in him an interest in history and political science from an early age. He was inspired to become a lawyer by his maternal uncle, William Russell, who was both a lawyer and involved with politics. During his late high school career at Lebanon (Va.) High School, Gen. Johnson had the opportunity to follow around a local attorney named Randy Campbell for half a day, once a week. There he was able to watch his first criminal jury trial – a “whisper stop” drug case.

Gen. Johnson stayed focused on being accepted to law school throughout his undergrad at Auburn University. Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Law and passing the bar exam, Gen. Johnson started an independent practice in Loudon County, Tenn. When presented with the opportunity to run for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2000, he took it and served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for three terms.

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Victim Services

Victim Witness Coordinators fight each and every day to ensure all victims are treated with dignity and respect. See how we can help you today!

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Assistant District Attorneys

Bob Edwards

Assistant District Attorney
Criminal Court Supervisor

Mike Davis

Assistant District Attorney
General Sessions Court Supervisor

Kristin Curtis

Assistant District Attorney
Meigs & Roane County Drug Prosecutor

Joe Caldwell

Assistant District Attorney
9th Judicial District DUI & Vehicular Homicides Prosecutor

Chris Rodems

Assistant District Attorney
General Sessions/Juvenile Courts

Jed Bassett

Assistant District Attorney
Loudon & Meigs Criminal Court Prosecutor & Child Abuse Prosecutor

Jonathan Edwards

Assistant District Attorney
Morgan & Roane County Criminal Court Prosecutor & Child Abuse Prosecutor

Jason Collver

Assistant District Attorney
Loudon & Morgan County Drug Prosecutor

Kelly Ingle

Assistant District Attorney
General Sessions/Juvenile Courts

Anna Howard

Assistant District Attorney
General Sessions/Juvenile Courts

Marla Holloway

Assistant District Attorney
General Sessions/Juvenile Courts

Staff

 Tina Jarnagin

Grand Jury Coordinator
Assistant to the ADAs

Karen Joseph

Drug Unit
Assistant to the ADAs

Cynthia Noles

Drug Task Force
Assistant to the ADAs

Charlene Hipsher

Grant Coordinator

Cortney Dugger

ICAC Investigator

Chanel Finnell

Criminal Investigator

News/Press Releases

Facebook Posts

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General

3 weeks ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
JURY CONVICTS VICTOR DALE MOORE OF RAPE OF A CHILD AND AGGRAVATED SEXUAL BATTERY – Flock LPR cameras lead to capture of defendant who fled after Day One of his rape of a child trial KINGSTON, Tenn. — August 25, 2026 — A Roane County jury today found Victor Dale Moore, 62, guilty of Rape of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, bringing to conclusion an unusual jury trial that was interrupted when Moore fled the jurisdiction after the first day, July 28th, of proof and was taken back up on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three counts: Count 1 — Rape of a ChildCount 2 — Aggravated Sexual BatteryCount 3 — Aggravated Sexual Battery Victor Moore had fired both of his court-appointed, taxpayer funded defense attorneys and was representing himself at trial. His opening statement was essentially that “why should a bad decision that only lasted a few seconds ruin my life?”. District Attorney General Russell Johnson’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the jurors who served in this case. Jury service is one of the most important responsibilities a citizen can undertake, and these jurors were asked to exercise an extraordinary degree of patience. Jury trials ordinarily proceed on consecutive days until a verdict is reached. This trial could not. After the jury was selected and the State began presenting its proof, Moore failed to return for the second day of trial and fled the State of Tennessee. Because Moore was ultimately located in Georgia, the proceedings had to be delayed to allow for his apprehension and to account for the possibility that he could contest extradition back to Tennessee. Despite that extraordinary interruption, the jurors returned today, fulfilled their oath, carefully considered the evidence, and reached their verdict. We are deeply grateful for their patience, attention, and civic duty. Most importantly, we thank the young victim in this case for her tremendous courage. Coming forward and participating in the criminal justice process is difficult for any victim, particularly a child. Her courage throughout this investigation and prosecution made today’s verdict possible. We also thank her mother for standing beside her, supporting her, and trusting the criminal justice system through a case that took far longer than anyone anticipated. This prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Edwards, was the result of the work of numerous agencies and professionals. We thank the Roane County Sheriff’s Office, the Child Advocacy Center, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. We also extend our appreciation to the law enforcement officials in Georgia whose coordination with Tennessee authorities resulted in Moore’s apprehension and return to face the jury he attempted to avoid. Moore’s apprehension also demonstrates the real-world public-safety value of Flock automated license plate reader technology. Moore had made his $100,000 bond by a bonding company immediately upon his initial arrest. Thus, he was out of custody leading up to and throughout the first day of trial on July 28th. When Moore failed to return to court on the morning of July 29th and fled the jurisdiction in the middle of his jury trial, law enforcement was able to utilize Flock technology as part of the effort to track and locate him. Whatever broader policy discussions surround this technology, this case provides a concrete example of how it can assist law enforcement in locating a wanted fugitive quickly and efficiently across jurisdictional and state lines. Technology, used responsibly and for legitimate law-enforcement purposes, can be an invaluable tool for protecting victims, locating fugitives, and ensuring that defendants cannot escape accountability simply by crossing a state line. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced on September 29, 2026, in Loudon County Criminal Court before Judge Jeffrey Wicks. For his conviction for Rape of a Child, Moore faces a sentence of 25 to 60 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction. For each conviction for Aggravated Sexual Battery, he faces a sentence of 8 to 12 years. These offenses require 100% service, and Moore will also be subject to community supervision for life following his release from incarceration. The sentence ultimately imposed will be determined by the Court at the September 29 sentencing hearing. Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Edwards and Jed Bassett conducted the first day of proof for the State. After Moore failed to show and was ultimately arrested in Georgia late on the next day, the trial was reset for August 25th by Judge Wicks to account for extradition proceedings. Moore was ultimately extradited back to Tennessee and held in the Roane County Jail pending trial. ADA Jed Bassett was then appointed on August 3rd as Loudon County General Sessions Judge, so ADA Edwards completed the trial on August 25th. Tami Legg was the victim/witness coordinator for the DAG’s Office. END OF RELEASE ...

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Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General

1 month ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
Tennessee has Officially Banned Kratom through Public Chapter 950 known as the “Michael Davenport’s Law” effective July 1, 2026. This new legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor completely bans and criminalizes kratom and all its derivatives across the state, creating a situation of ‘zero tolerance’ by law enforcement. There is no grace period for consumers or retailers.The law specifically covers:All active compounds: Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), and all related or synthetic or natural derivatives.All product forms: Raw powdered leaf, capsules, tablets, concentrated extracts, teas, and liquid shots or formulations.If you manufacture, sell, distribute or even possess these products, you now (since July 1, 2026) face severe criminal penalties.Possession: Knowingly manufacturing, selling, delivering, or possessing kratom with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver it is classified as a Class C felony with a sentence range of 3 to 15 years with severe financial penalties.Mere possessing kratom is a Class A misdemeanor with up 11 months and 29 days in jail, along with severe financial penalties.Overdoses: Our office has seen kratom going back several years as a contributor or suspected cause of overdose deaths in our four county judicial district. This new legislation requires toxicology screenings for kratom as part of the drug testing protocol in suspected drug overdoses and suspected neonatal abstinence syndrome. ...

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Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General

2 months ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
Our summer interns working with Assistant District Attorney Jed Bassett learning about case review and preparing indictments for the grand jury.L-R Abbie Fritts (LMU Law School, rising 2L); Ellie Judy (Knox Catholic HS grad headed to UT); Bailey Mynatt (UT Law, rising2L); Brooke Patterson, (UT Law, rising 3L). ...

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