Brandy M. Thornton and Roberta Lynne Webb Allen, Corruption, Tennessee 2021

Public Officials Charged with Corruption in Sevier County

A joint federal and state law enforcement operation led to the arrest of two individuals in Sevier County, Tennessee, on charges of public corruption. Brandy M. Thornton, 44, and Roberta Lynne Webb Allen, 55, both of Sevier County, Tennessee, were charged with two counts of taking cash payments in exchange for an official act.

According to the indictment, the charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Roberta Lynne Webb Allen appeared in court on October 7, 2021 before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Bruce Guyton and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment.

The investigation, which led to the indictment, was a result of a partnership between numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies cooperating under the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Quencer will represent the United States in the prosecution of this case.

The case is ongoing, with a trial set for December 14, 2021 before the Honorable Judge Crytzer in United States District Court, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his or her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/joint-federal-and-state-law-enforcement-operation-makes-arrest-public-corruption