District Attorney’s Office press release
It was a busy week for Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office last week as four prosecutors were wrapped up in two trials in the Henderson County Judicial Complex. 1st Assistant District Attorney Mark Hall along with Assistant DA Nancy Rumar were busy in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd Judicial District Court while Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Palmer and Danny Cox were prosecuting a case in Judge Carter Tarrance’s 392nd District Court.
A jury of seven women and five men convicted and sentenced Jeffrey Arlen Quinn, 31, of Athens to 17 years in prison after hearing evidence presented by 1st Assistant Hall and ADA Rumar that on October 21, 2013, Quinn, who was wanted on a parole violation at the time, was driving a Ford Ranger pickup north on Highway 274 just south of Seven Points at about 5 p.m., and was accompanied by another wanted felon, Kristy Kidan
While making an unsafe pass of the car in front of him, Quinn narrowly avoided a head-on collision with Tool Police Chief Rodney Henderson, who was traveling south toward Tool. Chief Henderson immediately turned around to make what he thought would be a routine traffic stop, but soon realized that Quinn had no intention of stopping. Quinn turned east onto Highway 334, then left onto John Thomas Drive. He then turned onto Pritchett Lane accelerating to speeds in excess of 100 mph on the unmarked, two lane road, causing numerous vehicles to pull over to avoid collision.
The pursuit continued onto Jess Hinton and into the Persimmion Creek addition where Quinn came close to running into and over several Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputies who happened to be present in the roadway after executing a search warrant in the area. At least two county units joined in the chase, which continued for several more miles. At one point, Quinn crossed over Highway 274 at a very high rate of speed without slowing down, but fortunately avoided any unsuspecting cross traffic which was heavy at that time.
Quinn failed to negotiate a curve onto West Oak Ridge and ran through a residential yard before coming to a stop and exiting the truck near a wooded area. Although Chief Henderson and other units were close behind, the two were out of sight by the time officers arrived. Kidan was located within a few minutes by Chief Henderson and Seven Points Police officer Roger Cullum, hiding under a tarp in a parked truck.
Quinn was located by Sheriff’s Deputies several minutes later behind a pond on adjoining property. Deputies Brad Beddingfield and Billy Jack Valentine, waded through the pond to apprehend Quinn, who was also found to be in possession of marijuana and several empty plastic baggies commonly used to store drugs.
District Attorney Scott McKee lauded the work of the various Henderson County agencies involved. “This case is a great example of the cooperation and support that our local law enforcement community consistently provides to one another in times of need, regardless of which department has primary responsibility. By working together, they provide the people of Henderson County with the excellent protection and service they deserve.”
In the courtroom next door, Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Palmer and Danny Cox presented evidence to Judge Carter Tarrance that Jay Tony Rackley, 36, engaged in sexual contact with a 16-year-old female in 2012. Rackley pleaded not guilty and opted for a trial before the court. Trial started on Monday, June 16th.
The conviction stems from an outcry made by a 16-year-old female in 2012. The child told her relative that Rackley had been engaging in sexual contact with her over a period of months that escalated in abuse that occurred in August 2012. The court heard testimony from the child’s counselor, medical professionals, several family members of the child, and from the child herself. The court also heard testimony that Rackley had previously served almost 12 years in prison for an Aggravated Robbery conviction he received in 2000. Rackley had been out of prison for less than a year when the child came forward.
Rackley will be sentenced on July 28, 2014. He is facing punishment of up to 20 years in prison.
District Attorney McKee praised the work of his prosecutors in the case as well as the victim. “It takes a tremendous amount of courage for a young woman to face the person who sexually abused Her at a young age.” “She is no longer a victim.” Said McKee. “She is a survivor and an inspiration to other victims.”