MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. — Three people were arrested after five cattle were stolen from Englewood, according to the McMinn County Sheriff's Office.
On Oct. 10, MCSO investigated reports of a stolen Kubota tractor from County Road in 446 near Englewood. Detectives determined that the tractor had been taken to Bristol and then to Hiwassee, Georgia a few days later. Monroe County resident Gary Hill was announced as a suspect in the case, according to MCSO.
On Dec. 3, deputies responded to a report of five stolen cattle from County Road 419 near Englewood. During the investigation, Hill was identified as a suspect in the cattle theft. Thomas 'Dewayne' Pressley of Meigs County was also identified as a suspect.
“Our Detectives, along with State Ag Crimes investigator Clint Brookshire, found Mr. Dewayne Pressley and Ms. Donna Vaughn were directly involved in the theft along with Mr. Gary Hill,” MCSO Sheriff Joe Guy said. “The cattle were located in Lincoln County and were returned to the owner. Over the course of the next few days, McMinn County Sheriff's Deputies, Sweetwater Police, and Detectives and Agent Brookshire worked extensively on the case. Dewayne Pressley and Donna Vaughn were located in Rural King Parking lot in Sweetwater on Dec 6 and were taken into custody.”
On Dec. 7, MCSO Corporal Caleb Latham was able to negotiate a peaceful surrender with Hill. He was safely taken into custody he is being held on the following charges:
- Theft over $5,000 for theft of the cattle
- Illegal possession or fraudulent use of credit/debit card x2 - Athens City Police Department
- Theft of property for theft of horses - Monroe County Sheriff's Department
- Theft of property for theft of horses - Loudon County Sheriff's Department
- Violation of parole - Blount County Sheriff's Department
Hill also faces charges in surrounding counties for theft of other livestock. Pressley and Vaughn are also being held on charges of theft over $5,000 for the cattle theft.
“The officers from different agencies working together brought a timely resolution to these cases,” Guy said. “I certainly commend Detective Amber Cook for her leadership in pursuing the offenders.”