Stacey B. Edmonson, 21st District Attorney General

04/24/2026

Yesterday, April 23rd, our office hosted a walk in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

General Edmonson read the Tennessee Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights. Mayor Rogers Anderson proclaimed this week as Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The proclamation was read by County Commissioner Guy Carden. The Crime Victim Service Award was presented to Detective Matt Griffin of the Brentwood Police Department by last year’s award recipient, Victim Advocate Amy Crossland of the Brentwood Police Department.

We want to thank everyone that joined us in our efforts to stand in solidarity, raise awareness, and support survivors, families, and our community. This walk is more than just steps—it’s a movement toward healing and hope.

04/17/2026

To apply to our internship program, email [email protected].

04/10/2026

FELON CONVICTED ON WEAPON CHARGE

On Monday, April 6th, Isaiah Jamar Coffee pled guilty to Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon. Coffee was sentenced to 6 years to serve in prison at 85%. The case was prosecuted by our Major Crimes Unit and investigated by Officer Connor Jones of the Franklin Police Department. Coffee had a G***k handgun after he had been previously convicted of a prior drug felony. That gun has been seized and forfeited to the Franklin Police Department.

04/08/2026

S*x Offender Convicted

On Monday, April 6th, Mario Buchanan pled guilty to two counts of Violation of the S*x Offender Registry-3rd or Subsequent offense. Buchanan was sentenced to serve 4 ½ years in prison. Mr. Buchanan is required to report in person every month and he failed to report as required. Mr. Buchanan had last been convicted of a violation of the s*x offender registry in 2018. Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary Katharine Evins prosecuted the case on behalf of the State and Detective Megan Valentin investigated the case for Franklin Police Department.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter to you and your family. We hope this season brings you comfort, peace, growth, and a basket full of Easter blessings!

04/03/2026

Our office is closed today, April 3rd, in observance of this state holiday. We wish everyone a safe and peaceful Good Friday.

04/02/2026

On March 31, 2026, at the conclusion of a sentencing hearing, Judge Deana Hood sentenced Chukwufunnanya Okocha to serve one year in the Williamson County Jail, followed by seven years of supervised probation, for his role in a sophisticated wire fraud scheme.

The defendant previously entered a guilty plea to Money Laundering, a Class B felony, stemming from his participation in a scheme involving a “spoofed” email designed to appear legitimate. The email provided fraudulent instructions for wiring funds purportedly related to closing costs on a home purchase. Relying on the authenticity of the communication, the victim wired more than $40,000.

The defendant played a critical role in the offense by receiving the fraudulently obtained funds and dispersing them into multiple accounts, furthering the scheme and complicating recovery efforts.

Due to the diligence and persistence of the victim, along with the investigative efforts of Detective Craig Wright of the Franklin Police Department, approximately $25,000 of the stolen funds was successfully recovered and Okocha was extradited from California. As part of his sentence Okocha is required to make full restitution to the victims.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Mason, with invaluable assistance from Victim Witness Coordinator Shannon Welch.

Williamson County continues to experience an increase in fraud schemes involving the spoofing of email addresses, as well as fraudulent text messages related to unpaid tolls or false notices of failure to appear in court. These scams are designed to create urgency and deceive individuals into sending money or providing sensitive information.

03/30/2026

On Friday, March 27, 2026, Howard Poteete, a Career Offender, pled guilty to Violation of S*x Offender Registry, 3rd or Subsequent Offense, a Class E felony. Poteete was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 6 years in the Department of Corrections and will serve the first year of that sentence day for day and will be eligible for parole after the service of 60% of the 6-year sentence. Officer Fletcher Valentine of the Fairview Police Department began investigating Mr. Poteete following a tip made to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation that there was concern Poteete was allowed to be around a minor child. Officer Valentine’s investigation proved that a minor child had spent the night at a home where Mr. Poteete resided, in violation of the s*x offender registry rules. Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary Katharine Evins prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.

03/17/2026

03/10/2026

On February 26, 2026, a Williamson County Jury found John Erik Wiggins guilty of Driving Under the Influence. The charges stem from a 2023 investigation that began when a concerned citizen notified authorities of a man, later to be determined to be Wiggins, urinating in the McDonald's parking lot located in Brentwood, TN, on East Park Drive. Officer Mark Skelton with the Brentwood Police Department led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Lambert and Jason Trautwein. Assistant Victim/ Witness Coordinator Emma Williams assisted the prosecution team. Following the announcement of the verdict, Wiggins was permitted to remain on bond. Sentencing is scheduled for early June.

03/09/2026

On March 5, 2026, Judge Deanna B. Johnson sentenced Matthew Humphrey to serve 26 years at 100% in prison. Humphrey had been convicted at a jury trial in August of last year of 8 class B felonies of S*xual Exploitation of a Minor over 100 images and 3 class D felonies of S*xual Exploitation of a Minor for images and videos of child s*xual abuse material on his phone, computer and in a Dropbox account. Humphrey will be required to be on the S*x Offender Registry for Life and required to pay $8,600 in fines and $1,600 S*x Offender Tax. In ordering partial consecutive sentencing, Judge Johnson found that the defendant had an extensive record of criminal activity as uncovered by the Williamson County Sheriff Office investigation. The WCSO Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation following a CyberTip made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Det. Paul Lusk was the lead investigator. Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary Katharine Evins prosecuted the case. Assistant Victim/Witness Coordinator Tiana Wells assisted the prosecution team.