Hamilton County, TN - On Wednesday, January 24th, 2023, at approximately 10:30 am, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Services, Patrol Services, and Jail Security Unit personnel began an immediate investigation into a violent incident which had just occurred at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center.

The initial investigation by detectives determined an inmate was the victim of an Aggravated Assault occurring in the Delta 2 pod of the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center. The Investigation further confirmed the inmate had been violently beaten to the point of unconsciousness by nine (9) other inmates in the pod. The inmate was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

As a result of the investigation into this assault, the following inmates have been charged in relation to this incident:

• James Blanks

• David Cosby

• Jeremy Daniels

• Jarius Ellzey

• Lamar Evans

• Gregory Gillespie

• Thomas Heffner

• Ja Quan Johnson

• Antavius Perry

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, Warrants were obtained for all nine (9) suspect inmates listed above charging them with the following:

• Attempted First Degree Murder (TCA 39-13-202 / Class A Felony)

• Especially Aggravated Kidnapping (TCA 39-13-305 / Class A Felony)

• Aggravated Assault – (TCA 39-13-102 / Class B Felony – Higher Classification Due to Acting in Concert During Crime of Violence)

• Aggravated Riot (TCA 39-17-303 / Class E Felony)

• Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Murder (TCA 39-12-103 / Class B Felony)

This incident remains under investigation.