One woman is charged as a 76-year-old Coalmont, Tenn., man is recovering from injuries he sustained in an attack at his home last weekend as Grundy County authorities continue to seek another suspect in the case.
Frank Brown of South Partin Circle in Coalmont early last Saturday answered a knock at his door by a woman and possibly another person asking to use the phone, Sheriff Clint Shrum said.
But instead of making a call, Brown was attacked, the sheriff said.
"He wound up being beaten with a rifle," Shrum said on Friday. Brown was left with lacerations and a broken jaw.
Around the same time, a Grundy County deputy patrolling the area saw a woman identified as Heather Levan, 29, of Monteagle, walking along the road near Brown's house.
At that point, no attack had been reported but the deputy identified the woman and noted where he encountered her, Shrum said.
Heather LevanMeanwhile, Brown managed to make a call to EMS for medical help and he was airlifted to Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga for treatment. Shrum said EMS officials notified the sheriff's office that Brown had been injured in an attack and deputies started investigating. They sought out Levan for questioning.
Brown identified Levan from a photo lineup, Shrum said. Levan was charged Monday with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, aggravated burglary, filing a false report and possession of stolen property, officials said.
Shrum said Brown didn't know Levan and investigators believe another person was involved. A gun and pills stolen from Brown's home were found in the woods nearby, he said.
"We feel like there's more to it than just a robbery," the sheriff said. "We're at the point now of trying to put all the pieces together."
Brown is now recovering at home.
Levan was released Friday on an $18,000 bond, according to jail officials.
Anyone with information about last Saturday's attack is asked to call the Grundy County Sheriff's Office at 931-692-3466.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.