Whitwell Police Chief indicted for misconduct

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A Marion County grand jury has indicted Whitwell Police Chief James Rodney Easterly on a variety of charges.

District Attorney General Michael Taylor asked TBI Agents and Marion County deputies to investigate complaints of theft, drug and other charges against him last spring.

13 months later, they presented evidence of those and other charges.

The grand jury indicted Easterly with Conspiracy to Commit Theft, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Resale, Conspiracy of Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Fraudulent Receipt of Food Assistance, Official Misconduct, Theft of Property, Coercion of a Witness, Tampering with or Fabricating Evidence, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of Attempt to Commit a Dangerous Felony.

Easterly turned himself into the Marion County jail on Thursday evening.