To view the latest press release information on COVID-19 from Randall Hutto, Wilson County Mayor, visit their website.

https://www.wilsoncountytn.gov/images/documents/COVID19/latest_pr_for_COVID19.pdf

Mayor Hutto’s Release

For Immediate Release via Public Information Officer David Boling (USDOJ- Middle TN District)

Law Enforcement Seeks Public’s help in Identifying Other Victims

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Caleb D. Jordan, 19, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was charged Saturday with attempted production of child pornography and transportation of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.  Jordan was arrested by federal and state law enforcement agents after a foot pursuit which began when agents arrived at his home with a federal arrest warrant.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to combat the epidemic of online child exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Cochran.  “With the COVID-19 pandemic and summer approaching, our children have amplified opportunity to be online and sexual predators are keenly aware of that.  We implore parents to pay attention and take precautions to ensure children practice safe Internet habits.”

According to documents filed with the Court, between October 2019 and April 2020, Jordan used Instagram and other platforms to post photos and videos depicting sexual acts between minor boys and to entice minors to send sexually explicit photos and videos to him.  Jordan was a member of an online group that was dedicated to child pornography depicting pre-pubescent boys and he gave money and gift cards to solicit sexually explicit videos from minor boys.

Investigative developments last week indicated that Jordan’s online activity involved the active and ongoing solicitation of minors.  The early stages of this investigation has determined that there are at least 11 minor boys associated with this case who have been identified as victims or potential victims, some of whom have not yet been identified.  In addition to local victims, others are believed to be located in other states, including Pennsylvania.

A preliminary examination of some of the devices that Jordan possessed revealed that he was in possession of thousands of images and videos of child pornography.

Anyone with information about Caleb D. Jordan or the charged offenses is urged to contact law enforcement.  To report suspicious activity or instances of child sexual exploitation, tips can be submitted to Homeland Security Investigations online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline, by phone at 866-DHS-2-ICE or by contacting your local HSI office.  The Nashville office of HSI may be contacted at (615) 664-5500.

If convicted, Jordan faces up to 50 years in prison.

The charge is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations; the FBI; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Carran Daughtrey and Trial Attorney Kyle P. Reynolds of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.

# # # # #

It’s quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete.

• It’s safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
• Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
• Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, as always, we want to recognize our own and show them appreciation for everything they do. It takes a special calling to be a dispatcher, and each of them does an amazing job. Long hours, chaos and stress are some of the defining characteristics of a dispatcher’s daily job. Often dispatchers are faced with challenges such as having to multitask, make on-spot decisions, prioritize calls and staying calm when a caller is in distress.

To help ensure the safety of Wilson County residents, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the City Police Chiefs have been asked to do the following during the Stay at Home Order issued by Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order and Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto’s Second Declaration for COVID-19 which can be found at: https://www.wilsoncountytn.gov/images/documents/COVID19/Wilson_County_2nd_Declaration_COVID19_April_1_2020.pdf

• Where there are public gatherings of over 10 or more, we will ask you to separate with social distancing per the Governor’s Executive Order. (Ex.) Fast food/Restaurant parking lots, Parking areas of all store fronts.
• As we make our rounds daily and observe a business that was deemed non-essential by the Governor’s Executive Order, to stop in and inform them of the order.

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office remains fully committed to serving our citizens by ensuring proper steps are taken for the safety and well-being of Wilson County.  As of press time, Wilson County currently has 93 confirmed cases of COVID-19 while there are 3,633 confirmed cases in Tennessee.  CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html

To report a suspected violation, call the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 444-1412

###

Please take a few minutes to read the summarized version of the orders that will answer many of your questions…. It’s all right here!

Essential Services as outlined by the Governor’s Office include: (NOTE– for a detailed description of the below services, please click on the following link. It can be found on pages 7-12 of Executive Order 22) https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee22.pdf

• Health Care and Public Health Operations
• Human Services Operations
• Essential Infrastructure Operations
• Essential Government Functions
• Food and Medicine Stores
• Food and Beverage Production and Agriculture
• Organizations that Provide Charitable and Social Services
• Religious and Ceremonial Functions
• Media
• Gas Stations and Businesses Needed for Transportation
• Financial Institutions and Insurance Entities
• Hardware and Supply Stores
• Critical Trades
• Mail, Post, Shipping, Logistics, Delivery, and Pick-up Services
• Educational Institutions
• Laundry Services
• Restaurants for Off-Premises Consumption
• Supplies to Work for Home
• Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations
• Transportation
• Home-based Care and Services
• Residential Facilities and Shelters
• Professional Services
• Manufacturing, Distribution and Supply Chain for Critical Products and Industries
• Hotels and Motels
• Funeral Services

Non-Essential Services as outlined by the Governor’s Office include:

• Barber Shops
• Hair Salons
• Waxing Salons
• Threading Salons
• Nail Salons or spas
• Spas providing body treatments
• Body-art facilities or tattoo services
• Tanning salons
• Massage-therapy establishments or massaging services
• Night clubs
• Bowling alleys
• Arcades
• Concert venues
• Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, or similar facilities
• Indoor children’s play areas
• Adult entertainment venues
• Amusement parks
• Roller or ice-skating rinks.

What is considered Essential Activity as outlined by the Governor’s Office?

• Engaging in activities essential to a person’s health and safety or the health and safety of family or household members, persons who are unable or should not leave their home, or pets, including, but not limited to, seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or assistance, obtaining medication, obtaining non-elective medical care or treatment or other similar vital services, or visiting a health care professional;
• Obtaining necessary services or supplies for persons and their family or household members, persons who are unable or should not leave their home, or pets or delivering those services or supplies to others, including, but not limited to, groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies required to work from home, automobile supplies (including dealers, parts, supplies, repair, and maintenance), and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
• Providing, facilitating, or receiving delivery or curbside carry-out delivery of online or telephone orders from businesses or organizations that do not perform or are not necessary for the performance of Essential Activity;
• Engaging in outdoor activity, provided that persons follow the Health Guidelines to the greatest extent practicable, including, but not limited to, driving or riding in a vehicle, walking, hiking, running, biking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, golf, tennis, or other sports or recreational activities that can be performed while maintaining the aforementioned precautions or utilizing public parks and outdoor recreation areas; provided, however, that congregating or playing on playgrounds presents a unique risk for the spread of COVID-19 and is therefore not covered as an Essential Activity;
• Caring for or visiting a family member, friend, or pet in another household, or transporting or traveling with family members, friends, or pets as allowed by this Order; provided, that the Health Guidelines are followed to the greatest extent practicable;
• Visiting a place of worship or attending a wedding or funeral; provided, that the Health Guidelines are followed to the greatest extent practicable. However, it is strongly encouraged that the public celebration component of weddings and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family members; or
• Engaging in Essential Travel, as defined below:
• Travel related to Essential Activity or otherwise permitted by this Order;
• Travel related to performing Essential Services;
• Travel to care for the elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
• Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.
• Travel to and from outside of the State of Tennessee; or
• Travel required by law, law enforcement, or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.

Please note that if you engage in “essential activity”, you must implement the following precautions as outlined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention:

• Working from home whenever possible;
• Avoiding social gatherings of ten (10) or more people;
• Avoiding eating or drinking at restaurants, bars, and food courts, and instead using drive-thru, pick-up, or delivery options;
• Avoiding discretionary travel and social visits;
• Avoiding discretionary visits to nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities;
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and distancing oneself from others, especially those who are at higher risk of getting sick, including in particular older adults and persons with serious chronic medical conditions; and
• Practicing good personal hygiene, including washing hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface, avoiding touching the face, and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible; and
• the CDC advises that “the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus,” and the best way to avoid being exposed to the virus is to remain home except as necessary to engage in essential activities, in which case the following health guidelines consistent with the President’s and CDC’s guidance above (hereafter referred to as “Health Guidelines”) should be followed: (1) Maintaining a distance of at least six (6) feet between themselves and others, except for family or household members; and (2) Practicing good personal hygiene, including washing hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface, avoiding touching the face, and disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible;

A complete list of all Executive Orders issued by Governor Bill Lee can be found by clicking the link https://www.sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee.

LEBANON, TN – The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) needs your help in identifying this person. On March 31st, at approximately 9:30am, the suspect in the pictures above exited the Dollar General Store located at 10550 Murfreesboro Road with a trash can full of items where payment was not rendered. The suspect was seen getting into a small white sedan and then proceeded to travel southbound. The suspect appears to have a right leg injury or limp.

LEBANON, TN – The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) responsible for the theft of a black dump trailer taken from an area on Flatwoods Road in Lebanon. The trailer was stolen sometime between the evening hours of March 27th until when it was reported on March 30th. The 8 foot trailer has a dent in the driver’s side fender and also possessed a black tarp. The attached picture is not of the actual trailer but is very similar.

Infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, as well as other public health events, can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak, especially in the face of a virus with which the general public may be unfamiliar. These feelings of distress and anxiety can occur even if you are not at high risk of getting sick.

The accessible and free mental health crisis services that Lifeline crisis centers offer are especially vital during times of social distancing, and can be considered an essential service. Lifeline crisis centers may be used to overcome barriers of access to services caused by distance or unavailability of in-person mental health support, and can prevent unnecessary exposure during a pandemic. When individuals may be experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and stress caused by infectious disease outbreaks and accompanying social-isolation measures, having access to trained and caring counselors may be critical for a community’s mental well-being.

If you need support, you can always talk to someone by calling the Lifeline number at 1-800-273-8255 to speak with a counselor. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.