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

6 days ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
The End of the Strada Era: Gives Governor Lee the Opportunity to Address the Failures of the TDOCThe Tennessee Department of Correction plays a critical role in our criminal justice system, and its leadership directly affects public safety, victims, law enforcement, prosecutors, correctional officers, and inmates across our state.The serious problems that have emerged within TDOC over the past year—including violence and security concerns inside our prisons, the death of a correctional officer, subsequent inmate deaths requiring investigation, and two failed executions—have raised legitimate questions about the Department’s leadership and operations.Commissioner Strada’s resignation provides an opportunity for meaningful change. I hope new leadership will work quickly with Governor Lee to restore confidence, accountability, and stability within TDOC.As one of Tennessee’s 32 District Attorneys General, I also hope that both the remainder of this administration and the next administration will seek meaningful input from prosecutors, law enforcement, correctional professionals, and others who work within the criminal justice system every day. We stand ready to help identify problems and develop practical solutions that make Tennessee’s prisons—and our communities—safer. ...
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Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General

1 week ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
Convicted Child Rapist Who Was Apprehended By Law Enforcement Using ALPR System Was Sentenced Today to 40 Years at 100 PercentVictor Moore went to trial in Roane County Criminal Court on July 28th for Rape of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery involving a 12-year-old victim. Victor Moore had fired two previous court-appointed attorneys and was representing himself during the jury trial. He was not in custody because he made his $100,000 bond upon his initial arrest on the charges.Moore, whose ‘defense’ as he outlined in jury selection and his opening statement – was that “one bad decision that only lasted a few seconds should not ruin the rest of his life”. Moore is 62 years old. At the end of the first day of trial, the Court admonished Victor Moore to be back in the courtroom at 8 am the following day for the second day of trial. Moore failed to show up for the second day of trial, and law enforcement began looking for Moore at his home, contacting known relatives, and consulting the ALPR system using Moore’s license plate number.Moore’s vehicle was noted on ALPR cameras in Georgia moving towards Atlanta. Roane County law enforcement contacted local law enforcement in Atlanta who apprehended Moore, who was about to board a bus in Atlanta heading to Florida. Moore was extradited back to Roane County where the trial continued to conclusion over a month later with a conviction by the jury on all counts.The sentencing hearing took place today (Tuesday) in front of Roane County Criminal Court Judge Jeff Wicks. ADA Jonathan Edwards conducted the hearing on behalf of the State calling as witnesses: probation officer Margaret Gore who interviewed Moore and prepared his pre-sentence report, Roane County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Randy Heidle who investigated the case, and Roane County Jail Administrator Keith Emmert through whom was introduced a jail video between Moore and his daughter where he talks about his efforts head to Florida to avoid the conclusion of his jury trial.Moore argued in the sentencing hearing that he has been persecuted by the criminal justice system, the district attorney’s office, law enforcement, etc. and “wronged by the Court in many ways”, and that the system was “biased” against him. He went through a lengthy history of his upbringing and his family, his siblings, and life troubles. Moore called his pre-teen granddaughter to testify on his behalf even though there is a DCS ‘no contact order’ against Moore towards his granddaughter. He also called his grandson to testify who testified that Moore has never mistreated him or other family members.The victim of the child rape and other charges, who testified at trial, is not a family member of Moore and chose not to testify at the sentencing hearing given her previous testimony during the jury trial.Moore repeatedly referred to his culpability for his involvement in the incident with the 12-year-old female victim. His argument was that he quickly recognized his mistake and immediately stopped after a few seconds. Therefore, he argued that he should not be given what amounts to a ‘life sentence’ given his advanced age and asked the Court for ten years of probation.ADA Jonathan Edwards argued for the strictest sentence possible given the nature of the charge, his essential admission of guilt in the manner that the incident played out, the impact to the victim, and Moore's attitude towards the criminal justice system trying to essentially 'escape' the justice system. One of the more troubling statements that ADA Jonathan Edwards and the Court took issue with by Mr. Moore was that the victim’s life has gotten better since this happened.The Court rendered a sentence of 40 years on the child rape charge and ten years each on the two aggravated sexual battery charges, at the conclusion of after the almost three hours that it took to complete the hearing.In addition to the TDOC sentence to serve at 100%, the 62-year-old Moore will be on the Sex Offender Registry for life. The Court informed Mr. Moore he will be roughly 102 years old when he is released from prison.At the end of the hearing, Mr. Moore requested an attorney represent him for the Motion for New Trial and any subsequent appeals.Moore remains in custody in the Roane County Jail until he is picked up by TDOC.END OF RELEASE ...

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Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General

2 weeks ago

Russell Johnson - 9th Judicial District, District Attorney General
Congratulations to Kent Calfee and his wife, Marilyn!State Representative and Roane County Commissioner - thirty years of public service! A well-deserved honor. ...

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