Man indicted in gambling probe and other news from areas around Chattanooga

photo David Ingle

Man indicted in gambling probe

SPRING CITY, Tenn. - A Spring City, Tenn., man has been indicted after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe into illegal gambling.

David Thomas Ingle, 54, owner of the Double O business on Highway 30 in Athens, is charged with one count of possession of a gambling device.

TBI agents began investigating Ingle on March 6, and on March 12 agents seized two video poker machines while executing a search warrant at the Double O.

The McMinn County grand jury returned the indictment on May 20. Ingle turned himself in Wednesday at the McMinn County Justice Center and later was released on a $5,000 bond.


Ex-schools official gets bribery time

ATLANTA - A former Atlanta Public Schools technology director was sentenced Thursday to serve nearly three and a half years in prison for taking bribes to help a contractor secure work with the district.

Jerome Oberlton, who pleaded guilty in January after reaching a deal with prosecutors, was sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Oberlton and his co-defendant, Mahendra Patel, who is to be sentenced next month, will have to pay restitution of $735,130.

Oberlton told the judge it was a tough time for him as his wife was dying of cancer and he was trying to figure out how to care for his kids after she died.

"I had no intention to harm, hurt or injure Atlanta Public Schools, or anyone else for that matter," he said.

Pastor John Fichtner, who told the judge he'd known Oberlton for about 15 years, said Oberlton was "a walking zombie" as his wife was dying.

"There's not an ounce of greed in this man," Fichtner said, testifying on Oberlton's behalf.

Oberlton, who was chief information officer for Atlanta's school system from 2004 to 2007, and Patel took about $60,000 in kickbacks for arranging for a computer vendor to get a $780,000 contract with the district, prosecutors said.


Six Flags opens new water park

AUSTELL, Ga. - Today marks the opening of Six Flags Over Georgia's all-new water park, Hurricane Harbor.

The largest expansion in the park's 47-year history, Hurricane Harbor boasts four water attractions, including the world's first hybrid zero-gravity slide, spans seven acres and is free with admission to Six Flags Over Georgia.

"Our enormous water park will create a 'getaway atmosphere,' as guests are able to cool off on several one-of-a-kind water attractions and then take flight on one of our 11 world-class roller coasters, all in the same day," park President Dale Kaetzel said in a news release.


Bull fatally shot after pen escape

DECATUR, Ala. - Decatur police say a bull has been fatally shot after escaping from a cattle pen.

Lt. John Crouch said Thursday that the escaped bull charged at the first officer on the scene and damaged his patrol car.

Crouch said a Valley Stockyard employee shot the bull after it escaped from one of the company's cattle pens. Crouch said Valley Stockyard employees told authorities that the bull was extremely dangerous.

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