Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement agencies nab 59 people in warrant roundup

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office "Look Before You Lock" cruiser is seen outside of the HCSO's West Patrol Annex on Monday, July 10, in Hixson, Tenn. Two thermometers show the difference between the inside temperature of the vehicle and the approximate outside temperature. The outside temperature reads a few degrees higher than the actual temperature due to heat reflections from the vehicle and the asphalt.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office "Look Before You Lock" cruiser is seen outside of the HCSO's West Patrol Annex on Monday, July 10, in Hixson, Tenn. Two thermometers show the difference between the inside temperature of the vehicle and the approximate outside temperature. The outside temperature reads a few degrees higher than the actual temperature due to heat reflections from the vehicle and the asphalt.

The Hamilton County Jail just got a little more crowded.

Fifty-nine people were arrested Wednesday during a multi-agency, county-wide warrant roundup coordinated by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The operation saw 131 total warrants served, 89 of which were felonies.

"Some of these are frequent flyers, as you can imagine," said Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond at a news conference Friday morning. "Some of them we already know - we know their hangouts, their girlfriends."

The roundup netted several individuals of note, including Tony Acuff, one of Hamilton County's top 12 most wanted. Acuff was wanted for allegedly robbing and then shooting at a man he had been fighting with on the 400 block of Roberts Street on Monday.

Darrien Metcalf was also arrested and has been charged with the attempted murder of 24-year-old Dequan Jamal Duke in April.

The sheriff's office led Wednesday's operation in conjunction with 10 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and Hammond said they aim to carry out such operations quarterly.

"As sheriff, I am very proud of Wednesday's operation and all of those here today who have chosen to serve in a law enforcement capacity in Hamilton County," he said. "From Lookout Mountain to Soddy-Daisy, from Collegedale to Sale Creek, the HCSO and our local municipal law enforcement partners are here to protect our community."

He also said that at any given time, there are thousands of active warrants, but many of them are "John Doe warrants" without a suspect. However, he said people who do have warrants would do well to cooperate with law enforcement.

"You may run, but you cannot hide permanently," he said. "The best thing to do is talk to your family, talk to an attorney, and turn yourself in."

Michael Knight, a special agent and spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was important to partner with the sheriff's office on this operation to help drive down violent crime, a priority for the agency in Chattanooga.

"ATF's role is primarily the violent crimes as it relates to firearms," he said. "We work hand in hand with agencies to trace that firearm."

He said it is often the case that individual weapons are used in multiple violent crimes and snagging can help build out other cases, as well, especially when the firearm is stolen.

"Across the country, including this area, there's been a rise in stolen firearms. Violent crime is decreased because of this operation," he said.

Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.

Upcoming Events