Crockett County jailer behind bars
CROCKETT COUNTY, Tenn. — A man responsible for inmates becomes an inmate himself. Anthony Swift, 20, a part-time employee at the Crockett County jail, is charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, according to Crockett County Sheriff’s Department. “When somebody is placed in that position of employment, they’re held to a higher standard,” Chief Deputy Eric Uselton said. The investigation began after a concerned citizen called Chief Deputy Uselton on Sunday. Detective Andrew Whitehead was in charge of the investigation. “They saw conduct between him and the underage female and it kind of alarmed them. So they contacted him by phone and told him what was going on.” Investigators searched Swift’s cell phone where they say they found explicit photographs. “There was explicit material sent between the two parties. This material was offensive in nature and sexual in nature,” Detective Whitehead said. Chief Deputy Uselton said they then took Swift into custody. They said because the girl is under the age of 16, they raised the charge to “aggravated” sexual exploitation of a minor. Detective Whitehead said they are still going through pictures on Swift’s phone. “It’s a shocking situation but you know I would be shocked if any of my employees committed a criminal offense,” Chief Deputy Uselton said. He said Swift went through an interview process and passed a background check when he was hired three months ago. Their search found no prior arrests. Chief Deputy Uselton said Swift is now free on bond but he could face more charges in this case. Uselton said the underage female could face charges too.
