Rhea County executive gets judicial diversion

photo Rhea County Mayor George Thacker, left, heads to court Friday with his lawyer, Jeff Hagood. Thacker, 48, was cited earlier this month by Knoxville police on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting prostitution. Contributed Photo by J. Miles Cary/ Knoxville News Sentinel

Rhea County Executive George Thacker has been given judicial diversion after a prostitution arrest two weeks ago.

Knoxville police said Thacker, of Spring City, offered a female undercover officer $50 in exchange for sex near downtown Knoxville.

Thacker turned himself in to Knoxville police on this morning before going to court, where he entered a best interest plea.

Defense attorney Jeff Hagood told WATE-TV that Thacker was a "good man, regardless of what happened."

Hagood said Thacker wanted the matter resolved expeditiously so that he could get back to doing his job.

If Thacker stays out of trouble during six months of probation, his record will be cleared.

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