PDA

View Full Version : Foiled Hostage Taking @Beauty Spot (Erwin, TN) Last Month



ATN
06-14-2012, 17:28
Warning to fellow hikers regarding:

http:// http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/13/police-hikers-hogtie-man-who-attempted-take-them-h/

and

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=100221


This story was reported in the Knoxville News Sentinel yesterday, over a month after the incident and I had not heard about it here or elsewhere..

There is no mention that this in fact happened directly on the AT, which may be why it was missed.

I wasn't able to find a follow-up as to what happened at his court appearance the following week.

Rather disturbing series of events, would likely have gone much worse for a solo or less able group. Perhaps more disturbing is how it was handled by LLE especially since it probably should be considered a federal case and definitely multiple felonies.

Perhaps even more disturbing was that having been on that section multiple times in the past year, the address of the perpetrator looked very familiar, and mapping it reveals that his address is at the terminus of the Overmountain Victory Trail, adjacent to the Hampton Creek State Natural Area, a marked 1.5mi to the Overmountain Barn, just over the crest of the hill behind his house:

http://bit.ly/KKB8Bx

Perhaps a heads up would be in order for anyone staying there if his case gets swept under the carpet with the guise of him being a wonderful guy and instantly rehabilitated..

Hikerhead
06-14-2012, 18:11
It wasn't missed, old news. There was a thread on it already.

HikerMom58
06-14-2012, 19:26
THanks for the update ATN...he could get "swept under the rug", you never know, so thanks for all the info about where he actually lives.... sooo close. :/

Tennessee Viking
06-14-2012, 21:47
From what I understand from my contacts in Erwin, the suspect suffered high voltage electrocution years ago causing some brain damage and he appears to have a drug problem as well as a result from that incident.

Just remember, its East Tennessee....and I am from there. You just have some strange folk in some parts.

Wise Old Owl
06-14-2012, 22:07
TV you crack me up... I too saw the post from relatives... Strange.... needs a better word... touched, odd (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+odd&form=DTPDIO), bizarre (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+bizarre&form=DTPDIO), outlandish (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+outlandish&form=DTPDIO), eccentric (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+eccentric&form=DTPDIO), weird (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+weird&form=DTPDIO), extraordinary (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+extraordinary&form=DTPDIO), out of the ordinary, peculiar (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+peculiar&form=DTPDIO), abnormal (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+abnormal&form=DTPDIO), unexpected (http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/Search?q=define+unexpected&form=DTPDIO)

dale1627
06-14-2012, 22:49
Tennessee Viking, I've heard the same from several people that know him. They were all surprised that he did this. Oh well, doesn't help much with the stereotyping of us East Tennesseans...

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

rocketsocks
06-14-2012, 23:00
Tennessee Viking, I've heard the same from several people that know him. They were all surprised that he did this. Oh well, doesn't help much with the stereotyping of us East Tennesseans...

Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkI got famary there too,and yes were all alittle colorful,but this fella took it to far......

Blue Jay
06-17-2012, 16:49
It wasn't missed, old news. There was a thread on it already.

You can be sure any crime or bear sighting within a hundred miles of the AT will be reported here.

bushcraft
06-21-2012, 10:49
I have been followed by one or two unusual people on the trail. Does become a little unnerving when it happens.