A former jail employee, two inmates and the mother of an inmate have been charged with conspiracy in the smuggling of contraband into the Sevier County Jail.
At the request of Sheriff Ron Seals in early October, the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began looking into contraband being smuggled into the local jail. Investigators allegedly found evidence that 54-year-old Samuel M. Maney, of Sevierville, who worked as a civilian food service employee at the jail, along with two inmates and an inmate’s mother were involved in the conspiracy to introduce narcotics, electronic equipment and tobacco for distribution to other inmates in the jail.
Maney was indicted by a Sevier County Grand Jury for Criminal Conspiracy and Official Misconduct and was arrested on Nov. 3, 2016 by Sevier County Sheriff’s Detectives. Maney resigned his position during the investigation and was no longer an employee when arrested. He posted a $7,500 bond and was released pending a hearing in Circuit Court.
Inmates Dustin L. White, 30, and 22-year-old Jerry N. Metcalf, who were already incarcerated on unrelated charges, along with the mother of Metcalf, Sherry Metcalf, 47, were also arrested and charged during the investigation. White and the Metcalfs were charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Possession of scheduled narcotics and introducing contraband into a penal facility. All are pending an arraignment in court.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.