A Georgia law enforcement officer has been arrested for allegedly sharing official data with a criminal suspect tied to a drug investigation in Tennessee. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says Kenneth Rankin, an officer with the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, faces charges of computer theft and violation of oath of office. The investigation started back in May when authorities in Tennessee contacted the GBI about an illegal drug operation in Hamilton County. During that investigation, officials uncovered evidence of related criminal activity in Georgia. The GBI’s West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office found that Rankin provided unauthorized law enforcement information to a suspect in the Tennessee case. Rankin was arrested in LaFayette and is currently being held in the Walker County Jail.
A Walker County man has been indicted for first-degree murder in connection with a shooting in Chattanooga. Nicholas Cheaton, 41, is accused of fatally shooting a 44-year-old man on March 15th. Chattanooga police responded to the 3700 block of Youngstown Road around 6:15 in the evening, where they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Cheaton was indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury on June 5th. He is currently being held in Walker County on unrelated charges.
Flagpoles honoring veterans were recently stolen in Ringgold, and police are asking for the public’s help. You can view the photos which show the thief and his truck on our website at DiscoverWalker.com. If you have any information about the suspect or the theft, you’re urged to contact Detective Vickrey at 706-935-3066.
A historic local company is rebranding to better reflect its expanding operations and heritage. See Rock City, Inc., known for Rock City Gardens, will now be Rock City Enterprises. The new name and logo aim to clarify the company’s diverse ventures and improve recruiting. Owner and CEO Doug Chapin says the rebrand positions the company for future growth. The corporate headquarters will also move from Lookout Mountain to Chattanooga’s St. Elmo neighborhood. The new logo features the iconic Rock City birdhouse, honoring the company’s long-standing legacy. The family-owned company is now in it’s fourth generation.