HCSO fires Johnathan Allen, deputy arrested on charges of child porn
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced Tuesday the termination of deputy Johnathan Allen, arrested earlier this month on child porn charges.
Johnathan Allen
Under Civil Service Guidelines, Allen was entitled to due process and a pre-disciplinary hearing, which the Sheriff was required to follow.
According to HCSO, this includes the requirement for an employee to receive a mandatory 10 day notice of the scheduled pre-disciplinary hearing.
The pre-disciplinary hearing for Allen was held Tuesday morning, December 17, 2024.
Allen attended the meeting virtually from the York County Sheriff’s Office Jail in South Carolina, where he remains in custody.
During this hearing, HCSO Sheriff Austin Garrett terminated Allen from the sheriff’s office, stating:
“Mr. Allen, to say I am shocked by these charges is an understatement, especially from someone who represents this Office [HCSO]. You preyed upon a child, one of the most egregious things a person can do. You embarrassed this agency, you’ve lost the trust and embarrassed the people of this county and this office, and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who work here. You are fired effective immediately. If I could have fired you the day this was found out, I would have done it that day, however, I am mandated to give you this hearing and you’ve had it. You are fired effective immediately.”
Allen was arrested on December 5, 2024 on warrants from South Carolina.
He was charged with the following:
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (3 counts)
- Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
