Former Calhoun, Tenn., police chief and officer nabbed in extortion case

Agents began investigating former chief Julie Tanksley, 43, left and Charles Godsey, 47, on April 8, 2015, according to a TBI statement.
Agents began investigating former chief Julie Tanksley, 43, left and Charles Godsey, 47, on April 8, 2015, according to a TBI statement.
photo Agents began investigating former chief Julie Tanksley, 43, left and Charles Godsey, 47, on April 8, 2015, according to a TBI statement.

A former Calhoun, Tenn., police chief and a police officer have been indicted in an extortion investigation involving the seizure of property to force contributions to the department's drug fund, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

TBI agents began investigating former chief Julie Tanksley, 43, and Charles Godsey, 47, on April 8, 2015, according to a TBI statement.

During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that the Tanksley, the department's former chief, and Godsey, an officer, extorted two arrestees by seizing personal property until the arrestees contributed money to the police department's drug fund, TBI officials said.

On Tuesday, the McMinn County grand jury returned indictments charging each with two counts of extortion.

Today, both individuals surrendered to authorities at the McMinn County Jail where they were each booked and subsequently released on $4,000 bond.

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