Charme Allen, District Attorney General - Knoxville, TN

Week 36 of Pass the Coin!

Last week’s recipient, Legal Secretary Michelle Carter, is passing the coin to Legal Secretary Christy Lowe.

Since joining the Knox County District Attorney’s Office in 1996, Christy has dedicated her career to public service and has become a valued member of our team.

Michelle shared:
“Christy is truly an unsung hero in our office. On more than one occasion, she has stepped in to cover for me when I have been out due to illness, and she has never once complained about helping others.
Christy consistently demonstrates compassion, dedication, and a genuine willingness to support those around her. Her positive attitude and selfless nature make a meaningful difference every day. She is a tremendous asset to our team and a true blessing - not only as a coworker, but also as a friend.”

Whether assisting coworkers, supporting prosecutors, or helping victims navigate the criminal justice process, Christy approaches her work with kindness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to service. We are grateful for Christy’s years of service, her willingness to support others, and the steady presence she brings to our office each day.

The Pass the Coin tradition continues next week as Christy selects another colleague to recognize and celebrate. Stay tuned!

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the DUI Unit obtained multiple convictions against a drunk driver who fled from Union County officers, crashed in Knox County, killed two victims, and injured a third. Jose Roberto Rivera-Recarte, 40, was convicted of two counts of Vehicular Homicide by Intoxication, Reckless Aggravated Assault, and Reckless Endangerment. Judge Hector Sanchez accepted the plea and ordered Rivera-Recarte to serve sixteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney Mitch Eisenberg explained to the court that on December 4, 2025, Rivera-Recarte was drinking at a bar in Union County. A witness offered to give him a ride because he was intoxicated, but Rivera-Recarte refused and started driving southbound on Maynardville Pike toward Knox County. The witness called the Union County Sheriff’s Office to report the impaired driving. Union County officers found Rivera-Recarte and attempted to stop him, but he fled from officers. Rivera-Recarte then crossed the median and crashed into two other vehicles, killing two people and injuring a third. Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers responded to the scene and questioned Rivera-Recarte. He did not have a driver’s license or insurance and handed over a Honduran passport. Rivera-Recarte initially stated he only consumed one drink and later said he had not consumed any alcohol. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. Troopers obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, and testing conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation showed Rivera-Recarte’s blood alcohol content to be 0.165, more than twice the legal limit.

“Two families are grieving the loss of their loved ones and another victim was injured because of the selfish choices of a drunk driver who turned down a free ride home,” said DA Allen.

After serving his sentence in prison, Rivera-Recarte will be released to federal authorities to face deportation proceedings. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator and Legal Secretary Lauren Ward aided in the prosecution of this case.

Please join us in welcoming Zachary Sharp to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office as a limited-license summer intern.

After being sworn in earlier this week, Zachary will spend the summer working alongside our prosecutors and assisting in felony court, gaining valuable hands-on experience in criminal law and public service.

Investing in the next generation of legal professionals is an important part of our mission, and we are excited to have Zachary with us this summer!

District Attorney General Charme Allen joined leaders from Tennessee Senator Becky Massey’s office, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA), Knox County Mobile Meals, and the East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (ETAAAD) this morning to announce a new partnership aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid scams.

As part of this pilot program, educational materials from SafeSeniorTN will be distributed through local meal delivery services, helping connect vulnerable older adults with resources and information designed to protect them from fraud and exploitation.

During the event, General Allen highlighted the importance of community partnerships in protecting vulnerable populations and noted that Knox County has a long history of leading these efforts, including the creation of Tennessee’s first specialized Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit in 2015.

“Our vulnerable populations, including seniors and older adults, don’t always know where to turn when they encounter scams or fraud,” General Allen said. “This partnership provides them with resources, information, and a way to better protect themselves.”

We are grateful to our community partners and state leaders for their continued commitment to protecting older adults and strengthening resources for seniors across East Tennessee.

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the DUI Unit obtained a conviction against a man who was drunk driving on Callahan Drive while looking for another bar. Samuel James Bivens, 48, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence Third Offense. Judge Hector Sanchez set the case for sentencing on August 30 where Bivens faces a minimum sentence of one hundred and twenty days in jail.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Caleb Smothers and Greg Eshbaugh explained to the jury that on December 19, 2023, Ofc. Jill Herman with the Knox County Sheriff's Office observed a vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road and making an illegal U-turn on Callahan Drive. While following the vehicle, Ofc. Herman also saw the vehicle swerving between lanes. Ofc. Herman initiated a traffic stop, and Bivens pulled over into the Days Inn parking lot. Bivens told Ofc. Herman that he was unfamiliar with the area and was looking for a bar. Bivens had slurred speech and smelled like alcohol. He lost balance while failing field sobriety tests. Officers located a ma*****na pipe, ma*****na shake, and five beer cans in Bivens’ vehicle. When Bivens was asked to provide a blood sample, he stated that his wife was driving the car and refused to give blood. His wife was not in the vehicle, much less in the driver’s seat. Ofc. Herman then obtained a search warrant for Bivens’ blood, and forensic testing conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed that Bivens had a blood alcohol content of 0.149, above the legal limit of 0.08.

“Luckily, this impaired driver was stopped by law enforcement before anyone was hurt by his reckless conduct,” said DA Allen.

DUI Third Offense is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a minimum punishment of one hundred and twenty days in jail. At sentencing, prosecutors will seek an enhanced sentence because Bivens has an additional DUI conviction from 1999 in Loudon County. In addition to finding Bivens guilty, the jury assessed a fine of $10,000. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator and Legal Secretary Lauren Ward aided in the prosecution of this case.

We're back with another Legal Term Tuesday!

Last week, we discussed Dismissal, one possible outcome in a criminal case.
This week, we’re taking a step back in the process to look at Failure to Appear - a criminal charge that may be issued when a defendant does not come to court as required.

Pass the Coin - Week 35!

Last week’s recipient, Assistant Victim/Witness Coordinator Juanita Loope, is passing the coin to Legal Secretary Michelle Carter.

Since joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2018, Michelle has become known for her reliability, compassion, and willingness to step in wherever she is needed. Through her work as a legal secretary, she supports both her fellow team members and the citizens of Knox County with professionalism, care, and a consistently positive attitude.

Juanita shared:
“I chose to ‘Pass the Coin’ to Michelle because in my eyes she is a genuine Unsung Hero. Though Michelle would deny that she goes above and beyond, she really does. Without recognition and extra pay, she wears several hats in the office and does beyond her primarily assigned secretary duties. On a personal level, Michelle has not only proven to be a caring and supportive friend to me when I am out of the office dealing with health issues with myself and with my husband, but she is also faithful to offer help on a personal level. Michelle deserves to be recognized for her above-and-beyond work ethic, and the care and concern she has for others.”

Michelle’s dedication and quiet leadership continue to make a meaningful impact across our office each day, and we are proud to recognize her this week. Stay tuned to see who she passes the coin to next!

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re revisiting an important conversation from the Generally Speaking podcast archives.

In this episode, District Attorney General Charme Allen sits down with Chief Deputy DA Sam Lee and Assistant District Attorney Justin Pruitt to discuss the critical intersection of mental health and public safety - a topic that continues to impact individuals, families, and communities across Knox County.

While Mental Health Awareness Month may be ending, the importance of understanding, supporting, and addressing mental health needs remains year-round.

Listen below!

Mental Health Unit | The cross-section. Podcast Episode · Generally Speaking presented by the Knox County District Attorney’s Office · June 26, 2023 · 33m

Earlier this month, Community Affairs Director Rachel Baker attended the Government Social Media ( ) Conference in New Orleans alongside communications professionals from across the country.

The conference focused on public sector communications, community engagement, social media strategy, crisis communication, and storytelling - all areas that play an important role in how our office connects with, informs, and serves the community.

From highlighting prevention initiatives and community partnerships to sharing educational resources and increasing transparency around the criminal justice system, effective communication is an important part of public service. Opportunities like this allow our office to continue learning, growing, and strengthening the ways we engage with the people of Knox County.