Rhea County Sheriff's Office

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Rhea County Sheriff's Office Our mission is to protect and serve the citizens of Rhea County, Tennessee. Sheriff: John Argo

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about two scams being reported in our community tonight.SCAM #1: “...
10/19/2026

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens about two scams being reported in our community tonight.

SCAM #1: “YOU’VE WON A CAR!”

Scammers are contacting individuals claiming they have won a vehicle. They may ask for money or personal information before allowing the individual to claim the prize. If you receive one of these calls, do not send money or provide any personal information.

SCAM #2: FAKE JAIL BOND CALLS

Scammers are using names of individuals listed on our jail website to contact their family members. They are posing as employees of the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office and claiming that money must be sent to bond their loved ones out of jail.

These calls are fraudulent!

Please remember:

Never send money to someone who unexpectedly contacts you demanding payment.

Never provide banking information, credit card numbers, or other personal information over the phone.

Do not trust a caller simply because they know the name of someone who is currently in jail.

Scammers can disguise their phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office directly using a verified phone number.

The Sheriff’s Office will never require you to send bond money to an employee through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal payment apps.

We are asking everyone to PLEASE SHARE THIS WARNING, especially with elderly family members, friends, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to these scams.

These scammers are taking advantage of innocent people and their families. We want to make sure our citizens are aware of these tactics and do not become victims.

If you receive one of these calls, please report it to the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office.

Thank you for helping us keep Rhea County safe!

Sheriff John Argo

Traffic Alert:Update: 9:15 pm the highway has been reopened at this time. Dayton Mountain Highway is currently down to o...
10/15/2026

Traffic Alert:

Update: 9:15 pm the highway has been reopened at this time.

Dayton Mountain Highway is currently down to one lane between Cranmore Cove and the dump due to a non-injury commercial vehicle accident. Crews on scene may have to periodically close the highway, so please use extreme caution in the area. This post will be reopened when the highway has been reopened.

On Friday, October 9, 2026, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office assisted the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office with a warrant ...
10/11/2026

On Friday, October 9, 2026, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office assisted the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office with a warrant service in the Wolf Creek community.

Earlier that Friday, Ricky Lee Boggess was identified as the subject of a shooting incident. McMinn County detectives subsequently located Boggess and requested assistance from the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office in serving outstanding McMinn County warrants.

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to the scene and successfully called Boggess out of the apartment where he was located. The operation concluded without further incident.

Boggess was taken into custody on McMinn County warrants for aggravated assault and felon in possession of a handgun. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of McMinn County deputies.

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and support during this operation:

* Tennessee Highway Patrol
* Rhea County Office of Emergency Management
* Rhea Ambulance

We appreciate the coordination and cooperation between our local and state partners in helping ensure the safe and successful resolution of this operation.

Traffic Alert: Update 7:58pm: Rhea County Hwy has been reopened. North Bound Rhea County Hwy at the intersection of Earl...
10/03/2026

Traffic Alert:

Update 7:58pm: Rhea County Hwy has been reopened.

North Bound Rhea County Hwy at the intersection of Earl Broady Rd due to an accident. The highway will be closed for an extended period of time. Any inquiries will need to be forwarded to the Tennessee Highway Patrol as they are the investigating agency. This post will be reopened when the north bound lanes have been reopened.

During the early morning hours, approximately 3:00–4:00 a.m., multiple mailboxes were vandalized in the area of New Unio...
10/03/2026

During the early morning hours, approximately 3:00–4:00 a.m., multiple mailboxes were vandalized in the area of New Union Road.

Deputies are currently in the area investigating the incidents. We have received multiple reports of a loud truck in the area around the same time, and investigators are working to determine whether the vehicle may be connected to the vandalism.

If your mailbox was damaged, or if you were in the area and may have witnessed anything suspicious, including a loud truck during the early morning hours, please contact the Rhea County E-911 non-emergency number at (423) 775-2442 and ask to speak with a deputy.

We appreciate the community’s assistance as we work to identify those responsible.

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office was proud to have the opportunity to assist the Rhea County High School Criminal Justic...
09/29/2026

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office was proud to have the opportunity to assist the Rhea County High School Criminal Justice Program with their mock crime scene exercise.

Our deputies always enjoy opportunities like this to work with students and give the next generation a closer look at the law enforcement profession. Experiences like these allow students to learn more about the field, ask questions, and gain hands-on insight into what a career in criminal justice can look like.

A special thank you to Coach Davis for the invitation and for giving our deputies the opportunity to be involved with these students. We are proud to support our schools and invest in the next generation of our community!

Traffic Alert: Update 3:00pm: Watts Bar Hwy has been reopened. Watts Bar Hwy (State Highway 68) at the intersection of B...
09/28/2026

Traffic Alert:

Update 3:00pm: Watts Bar Hwy has been reopened.

Watts Bar Hwy (State Highway 68) at the intersection of Basil Fugate Rd is currently down to one lane due to a non-injury commercial vehicle accident. Please use extreme caution in the area as responders are directing traffic around the scene. The highway may temporarily be shut down at times while responders and tow companies work the scene.

This post will be updated when the highway has been reopened

Today, Rhea County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dylan Walker proudly graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Ac...
09/25/2026

Today, Rhea County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dylan Walker proudly graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) Basic Police School, Class 2153.

This accomplishment represents the hard work, dedication, and commitment required to serve as a law enforcement officer. We are proud to have Deputy Walker as a member of the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office and look forward to all he will accomplish in his career serving the citizens of Rhea County.

Sheriff John Argo and the entire Rhea County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Deputy Walker on this outstanding accomplishment!

Congratulations, Deputy Walker!

On September 18, 2026, K-9 Deputy Paul was patrolling the Frazier Community when she observed a gold Ford F-150 travelin...
09/19/2026

On September 18, 2026, K-9 Deputy Paul was patrolling the Frazier Community when she observed a gold Ford F-150 traveling at a high rate of speed. Deputy Paul confirmed the vehicle was traveling above the posted speed limit.

When Deputy Paul attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed, appearing to intentionally evade the deputy. A brief pursuit ensued before the vehicle lost control and crashed into the security fence at Mark Anton Airport.

Following the crash, the driver fled the vehicle on foot for a short distance and attempted to conceal himself in the field surrounding the runway. While Deputy Paul was giving commands to the passenger, the driver ultimately surrendered and returned to the scene. Both occupants were taken into custody.

The driver was identified as Charles Gillespie Jr.

While deputies were processing the scene, family members of Mr. Gillespie arrived and began interfering with deputies. Both individuals failed to comply with deputies’ commands to leave the area and were subsequently taken into custody.

Charles Gillespie Jr. was transported to the Rhea County Justice Center and booked on the following charges:

• Outstanding Warrant – Felony Violation of Probation
• Felony Evading by Motor Vehicle
• Felony Reckless Endangerment
• Driving While Suspended
• Possession of Schedule VI
• Failure to Exercise Due Care
• Evading Arrest
• Speeding in a School Zone

Robert Gillespie was transported to the Rhea County Justice Center and booked on the following charges:

• Disorderly Conduct
• Resisting Arrest
• Obstruction of Justice

Heather Gillespie was transported to the Rhea County Justice Center and booked on the following charge:

• Disorderly Conduct

The Rhea County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our deputies and the assisting officers from the Dayton Police Department for their quick response and professionalism throughout the incident.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Traffic Alert: Update 2:14pm: Both lanes of Wassom Memorial Hwy are now open and the accident has been cleared. Previous...
05/30/2026

Traffic Alert:

Update 2:14pm:
Both lanes of Wassom Memorial Hwy are now open and the accident has been cleared.

Previous: One lane of Wassom Memorial Hwy (Hwy 68) is currently closed down due to a motor vehicle accident in the area of Garland Ln. Please use caution while emergency crews are in the area. This post will be updated when the Highway has been fully reopened and clear.

Address

7800 Rhea County Highway
Dayton, TN
37321

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14237757838

Website

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