Indicted former Gibson Co. Sheriff’s Office employees make court appearance

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Pre-trial motions on Monday bring nearly a dozen former Gibson County Sheriff’s Office employees into a Trenton courtroom.

While former sheriff Chuck Arnold was not present in the courtroom, the judge moved forward with the hearings and set a timeline in motion for the trial.

“We’ll hear whatever motions are ready today. That’s what we set this day for,” Special Judge William Acree said.

Arnold was indicted in late 2015 on more than 100 counts of criminal charges by the TBI.

In court Monday, the state said they would like to move forward with the trials beginning Nov. 7 by presenting the cases in a series.

As of right now, Judge Acree ruled co-defendants and Arnold will face the judge together with the option for trials to continue into December.

When given the chance Monday, no defendants made plea deals. Judge Acree said they have until Sept. 1 to reach any possible agreements.

While few motions were actually heard by the judge, former Deputy Robert Pinkerton’s attorney Michael Carter made a request on Pinkerton’s behalf.

During the hearing, Judge Acree said Pinkerton is basically accused of accepting a paycheck he didn’t earn. Carter argues there’s proof his client did work and that they can prove it if Pinkerton can access a sheriff’s department computer.

Judge Acree ruled in favor of the motion with stipulations that Pinkerton not remove the equipment into his own possession and have a representative of the TBI present at the same time.

The trial will also be held in Humboldt, although regulations require the jury still be selected from Trenton.

Arnold’s next scheduled court appearance is May 24.