Carter County Tennessee Sheriff's Office

We were honored to be part of the Elizabethton Housing & Development Agency's Summer Bash today for the kids. Thank you EHDA for letting us be a part of this great community event.

With passage of HB 2505 earlier this year, Tennessee leaders outlawed ATM-style electronic kiosks which are designed to facilitate buying cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency is a digital-only, unregulated currency that is not backed by a bank or a government and has no physical presence.

For years, TDCI's Securities Division has been raising awareness about the proliferation of cryptocurrency scams – including those involving crypto kiosks – which cost Tennesseans their hard-earned money.

To help consumers avoid the pitfalls of future cryptocurrency scams, TDCI’s Securities Division shares the following consumer tips:

-Never click on links or respond directly to unexpected calls, messages, or computer pop-ups. If you think it could be legitimate, contact the company or agency, but look up their number or website yourself. Don't use the phone number the caller or message gave you.

-Slow down. Scammers want to rush you, so stop and check it out. Before you do anything else, talk with someone you trust.

-Never withdraw cash in response to an unexpected call or message. Only scammers will tell you to do that.

-Be cautious if someone tells you something is a secret, or information cannot be shared with anyone. This is a method used by scammers that is a red flag because it isolates individuals from trusted resources.

For more details, visit: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/news/2026/5/13/securities-division-supports-crypto-kiosk-ban-renews-warning.html

Two arrested following investigation into vandalism at recreation areas

ELIZABETHTON – An Elizabethton woman and man are facing sexual exploitation of a minor and vandalism charges following an investigation into multiple incidents of vandalism at local recreation areas, where graphic messages of a sexual nature, along with messages about child sexual abuse, were found in restrooms and in other public areas.
Investigators with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jessica Russell, age 28, and Craig Estep, age 28, both of Elizabethton, on Thursday, May 28. Investigators charged Russell with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators charged Estep with 11 counts of vandalism ($1,001 - $2,499) and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation began earlier in May after the CCSO received reports of vandalism at popular recreation sites on US Forest Service land around Watauga Lake. Additional incidents of vandalism were also reported on federal land in Unicoi County. The investigation was a joint operation between the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Forest Service.
During the investigation, a male and a female individual were developed as suspects, and the vehicle they were operating was identified. The individuals were ultimately identified as Russell and Estep.
On Thursday, May 28, officers encountered the vehicle identified through the investigation parked at a local gas station in Carter County. When officers approached the vehicle, they found Estep passed out in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, with drug paraphernalia in plain view on his lap and in the vehicle. Officers arrested Estep on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Russell was with Estep at the time of his arrest, and she was also brought to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office to speak to investigators.
Investigators interviewed both Estep and Russell regarding the string of vandalism incidents. During the interview, Estep stated he was the one who wrote all the derogatory and sexual statements that were found at the federal recreation sites.
During her interview, Russell gave investigators permission to search her phone for evidence related to the vandalism. When investigators searched the device, they located images of child sexual abuse materials on her phone.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending.
Estep is being held at the Carter County Detention Center under a total bond of $19,000.
Russell is being held at the Carter County Detention Center under a bond of $50,000.

Expecting the unexpected is important for everyone on the road to do.

Safety features like helmets and seat belts are tested and proven to work when it matters.

Always wear a helmet when cycling, and a seat belt when in a vehicle. every trip, every time!

Read more: tntrafficsafety.org/bike-ped

We are receiving reports of scam calls where the scammer is reaching out to families of incarcerated individuals and telling them their loved one is getting out on house arrest and they must pay a monitoring fee in order for the inmate to be released. The scam callers are identifying themselves as law enforcement officers. No law enforcement officer will ever call you and demand payment to let an incarcerated person out of jail.

Drivers: Slow down for cyclists and pass with caution, leaving as much space as possible; at least three feet. Yield to cyclists, as you would yield to pedestrians.

Cyclists: Ride in bike lanes if available, otherwise ride with the flow of traffic and on the right side of the road.

More: tntrafficsafety.org/bike-ped

When a child is inside an unattended vehicle, their temperature can rise quickly and the situation can become dangerous.

No parent or caregiver thinks this can happen to them, but dozens of children each year are either left behind in a vehicle or become trapped inside.

Visit NHTSA.gov/Heatstroke to learn more.

Increasing your following distance is a good way to drive defensively, whether you’re on two wheels, four, or more.

Read more: tntrafficsafety.org/motorcycles

We’re Tennessee, we Buckle Up to drive safe-every trip, every time.

UPDATE: Michael Marrison has been found deceased.

PREVIOUSLY POSTED:

A Alert has been issued for 41-year-old Michael Dean Marrison. He is wanted by the Hawkins County Sheriff's Office and TBI for Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, R**e, In**st, and Tampering with Evidence. Marrison is 6'4" tall, 175 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Have info? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND
A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.