Bryant C. Dunaway, District Attorney

09/17/2026

08/10/2026

CONVICTION - AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE
White County TN

On August 7, 2026, in the Criminal Court of White County, TN, Joseph Alexander Farris entered a plea of GUILTY to Aggravated Child Abuse, a Class A Felony. He was sentenced to serve 22 years in the custody of the TN Dept. of Corrections at 100%.

On October 13, 2024, law enforcement received a referral from the Department of Children’s Services concerning a one-month-old infant child may have been physically abused. At the time the investigation began, the child was being treated at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and had underwent a skeletal survey.

The exam revealed multiple findings including a healing, subacute right mid humerus spiral fracture, an acute bilateral mid clavicle fractures, multiple acute posterior bilateral rib fractures and potentially one acute left anterior rib fracture, an acute right acromion fracture and an equivocal left scapular facture versus nutrient foramen. The child was diagnosed with non-accidental trauma which was concerning for child abuse. During the course of the investigation, the defendant, Jospeh Alexander Farris, father of the child, was interviewed by law enforcement.

Mr. Farris admitted that he was caring for the child at a time that the child was injured. Farris demonstrated with his hands how he handled the child and acknowledged that he knew he was hurting the child.

Detective Charlie Sims with Sparta Police Dept. investigated the case with the assistance of Investigator Randal Slayton with the District Attorney General's Office. Asst. District Attorney Jessica Krebs with the DA's Child Abuse prosecution unit, prosecuted the case.

Abusing a child is of the utmost egregious of criminal offenses. Preventing child abuse is so important. Reporting suspected child abuse is mandatory under Tennessee law. If you see something... say something. It may save a child's life.

08/10/2026

OVERDOSE DEATH CONVICTION - Second Degree Murder
Cumberland County, TN

On August 4, 2026, Michael Ralph Daignaul, age 64, appeared before the Criminal Court in Cumberland County with his attorney. He PLED GUILTY to Second Degree Murder related to the overdose death of the victim, CHRISTOPHER RAY HALE. Daignaul was sentenced to serve 15 years in the custody of the TN Dept. of Corrections at 100%.

The case was investigated by TBI Special Agent Billy Miller and Det. Anthony Loshbough with the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office. The case was prosecuted by ADA Philip Hatch.

The investigation revealed that Daignaul sold and delivered a Schedule II controlled Substance (Fentanyl) to the victim. The victim purchased the drug from Daignaul. He then ingested the substance which caused his death.

Overdose death cases, by their nature, can be difficult to prove and prosecute. We evaluate every one of them carefully. If sufficient evidence can be obtained to hold those who sell and deliver controlled substance to a person who dies from the drug, we will hold them accountable.

It is our hope that people knowing that these cases will be investigated and prosecuted will deter the continued sale of illegal drugs. Fentanyl is a dangerous substance that kills. It is found alone and also compounded with other substances very often.

07/17/2026

ARREST FOR SOLICITING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR BY ELECTRONIC MEANS

Arrest Warrants were issued on July 16, 2026 charging MATHEW S. HOOPER with two counts of Soliciting Sexual Exploitation of a Minor by Electronic Means. The arrest warrant alleges the following.

On or about June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, Mathew Hooper, a male over the age of eighteen (18), did intentionally cause a minor, A.J., a child less than 18 years of age, to engage in
sexual activity that is patently offensive and to send videos of herself engaged in sexual activity to him by
electronic communication, i.e. Snapchat. The Snapchat account was verified as being Mathew's by the
SnapID (mhoop7879) which is on record with the Tennessee Department of Corrections as a registered
screenname for Mathew S Hooper. Said videos and communication was observed by the child's grandmother
and retrieved from the child's cellular device by law enforcement investigators.

During the same time frame, Mathew Hooper also intentionally engaged in sexual activity that is patently offensive and sent photos of himself engaged in sexual activity to the minor child. The child viewed those photos by electronic communication, i.e. Snapchat. Said photos were observed by the child's grandmother and retrieved from the child's cellular device by law enforcement investigators. Mathew Hooper was visually identified as the subject in the photos by law enforcement investigators.

Algood Police Department initiated the investigation in this case. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and District Attorney Investigators assisted. All agencies continue to further the investigation in this case to determine if more charges are appropriate.

07/14/2026

"VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSKS", sometimes referred to as Bitcoin ATMs, are now illegal as of July 1, 2026. See memorandum attached for further description.

07/14/2026

KRATOM is now illegal in Tennessee, as of July 1. See the memo attached. Any businesses (or persons) that have been selling this substance should immediately cease doing so.

07/14/2026

MEDIA RELEASE
STATEMENT FROM CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS OF THE TENNESSEE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS GENERAL CONFERENCE ON TODAY’S OP-ED BY SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, STEVE MULROY

JULY 11, 2026

The undersigned members of the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference strongly reject the assertions made in the recent opinion column authored by Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy regarding law enforcement, police training, and the prosecution of officer-involved shootings.

General Mulroy writes only for himself. He does not speak for Tennessee's other thirty-one elected District Attorneys General. This is not the first time he has chosen to speak for himself. He has mused about the benefits of a diversion program for convicted felons illegally possessing fi****ms, made agreements in lawsuits to further his own ideology at the expense of the other thirty-one districts, and routinely taken positions that do not reflect the thoughts or beliefs of his fellow elected prosecutors.

We have remained silent. We will no longer.
His article presents sweeping conclusions based upon a single training program while suggesting that prosecutors who decline to prosecute officer-involved shootings are simply validating a culture in which deadly force is routinely excused. That portrayal is inaccurate, irresponsible, and unfair to prosecutors across Tennessee who make these difficult decisions every year. His words are reckless.

District Attorneys do not decide cases based upon opinion pieces, political ideology, media narratives, or personal philosophy. We decide cases based upon evidence, applicable law, and our constitutional duty to seek justice.
General Mulroy repeatedly declares highly controversial incidents "justified" or "unjustified" as though those determinations are self-evident. They are not. Every officer-involved shooting presents unique facts, forensic evidence, witness testimony, medical findings, and legal questions that deserve careful, independent evaluation. Suggesting otherwise diminishes the seriousness of the prosecutorial function.
Perhaps most troubling is the implication that prosecutors who conclude an officer acted lawfully are somehow failing in their responsibilities. Such rhetoric unfairly questions the integrity of elected prosecutors who have devoted decades to objectively enforcing the law without fear or favor. With his reckless words, it is General Mulroy who has failed in his responsibility.
The role of a prosecutor is not to validate a political movement, nor to defend a profession. It is to apply the law impartially.
When the evidence establishes that a police officer committed a crime, prosecutors have an obligation to file charges. When the evidence does not establish a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors have an equally important obligation to decline prosecution. Justice requires both.

General Mulroy's article also paints with an extraordinarily broad brush regarding police training. Tennessee law enforcement officers receive extensive training through POST-certified academies, continuing education, agency policies, constitutional law instruction, and evolving best practices. To suggest that officers across this state are simply "trained to kill" is a profound disservice to the thousands of men and women who serve honorably while placing themselves in danger every day.

No prosecutor welcomes the loss of life in an encounter between law enforcement and a citizen. Every such incident is tragic. Every such incident deserves careful investigation. Every such incident deserves an independent legal review. But tragedy alone does not establish criminal liability.
We are equally concerned by the effect of public statements that undermine confidence in prosecutors and law enforcement through broad accusations unsupported by the actual facts of individual cases. Public trust is strengthened by transparency, professionalism, and objective decision-making…not by inflammatory generalizations.

Tennessee's District Attorneys General have prosecuted police officers when the facts and the law required it. We have also declined prosecution when the evidence did not support criminal charges. Both decisions require independence. Both decisions require courage. Both reflect the same unwavering commitment: to follow the evidence wherever it leads.

That commitment remains the cornerstone of prosecution in Tennessee.
We will continue to judge every case the same way: by the facts, by the law, and by our oath…not by politics, ideology, or public pressure.

This is a statement provided by:
Gen. Mark Davidson, President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 25th Judicial District

Gen. Ray Crouch, Vice President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 23rd Judicial District

Gen. Dan Armstrong, Secretary of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 3rd Judicial District

Gen. Jared Effler, Former President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 8th Judicial District

Gen. Bryant Dunaway, Former President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 13th Judicial District

Gen. Dave Clark, Former President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 7th Judicial District

Gen. Jody Pickens, Former President of the TNDAGC Executive Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 26th Judicial District

Gen. Ryan Desmond, Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee & District Attorney of Tennessee’s 5th Judicial District.

07/06/2026

GUILTY PLEA - SECOND DEGREE MURDER
Pickett County, TN

Today, Johnny Ray Foutch, age 72, was brought before the Criminal Court with his attorney where he entered a plea of GUILTY to the Second Degree murder of his wife Theresa Marie Foutch. He was sentenced to serve 20 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections at 100% day for day.

This plea was entered after consultation with the victim's family, the adult sons of Theresa Marie Foutch, who were supportive of the sentence.

On July 13, 2025, The Defendant Johnny Ray Foutch and Theresa Marie Foutch were a married couple residing at 165 Eagle Crest Drive, Byrdstown TN in Pickett County. On that date, the Pickett County Sheriffs office received a call from the Defendant’s daughter requesting that they conduct a welfare check at the residence of the Defendant and the Victim.

Chief Deputy Steve Wilbur drove to the residence. As he approached the front of the house, he overheard a male and female voice arguing inside the home. He then heard the female voice yell, “he’s got a gun”. Deputy Wilbur then heard a gun shot. He took cover outside. Moments later, the Defendant walked out of the front door of the house holding a Sig Sauer handgun. After securing the Defendant, Wilbur entered the home and found Theresa Marie Foutch lying face down in the living room of the home with an apparent gun shot entry wound in her back.

Investigators searched the residence and found a spent shell casing on the floor of the dining room which is a room adjoining the living room approximately 10-15 feet from Theresa Foutch’s body.

Dr. Shannon Crook, a forensic pathologist performed an autopsy on the body of Theresa Foutch. She opined that her cause of death was “gunshot would of the back” and the manner of death is “homicide”.

Please remember the sons of Theresa Marie Foutch. The loss of their mother is devastating.

Domestic Violence is a real problem with real consequences.
Should you or anyone you know be dealing with domestic abuse, please call law enforcement, the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center, the Genesis House or Avalon Center where help, support and resources are available.