A former Tennessee commissioner of revenue has been accused of illegally cutting down trees within the boundary of Savage Gulf State Park to improve the view from his mountain home site in Grundy County.
Charles A. Trost, a 2010 appointee by then-Gov. Phil Bredesen, is accused on a grand jury indictment of one count of vandalism between $60,000 and $250,000, a felony, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Grundy County Circuit Court documents. The punishment, upon conviction, carries a potential penalty of eight to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000.
The indictment, issued July 21, states “dozens of trees were cut from state-owned property along the Savage Gulf State Park boundary near Beersheba Springs to improve the view from a private home under construction,” the agency said in a statement. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit conducted the investigation.
The investigation began in April 2025 after Savage Gulf State Park officials contacted lead crime unit investigator Michael Whaley regarding suspected unauthorized timber cutting on state property, the agency said. The trees had been cut and left on the ground.
A consulting forestry firm assessed the value of the damaged timber at almost $113,000.
Trost surrendered to authorities after a bench warrant was issued July 22, state authorities said. He was released on a $10,000 cash bond.
Trost’s lawyer, Nashville attorney Jay Steed, issued a statement on Trost’s behalf Wednesday.
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“Charlie Trost is a giving and ethical community leader who, during over 60 years as an attorney, has provided incredible talent and time to our state, particularly in Grundy County, a beloved place to him,” Steed said in an emailed statement. “While it is necessary to respond to the state’s press release, Mr. Trost looks forward to presenting the facts of this misunderstanding in the courts, as we have full confidence in our justice system.”
Trost was appointed in 2010 to replace former Commissioner Reagan Farr, who left the administration in September 2010. Former Gov. Bill Haslam replaced Trost with attorney Richard Roberts in 2011.
According to property records, Trost is listed as trustee of about 3.5 acres on Grassy Ridge Road in Beersheba Springs. Maps show the property is adjacent to state-owned park land.
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said agency investigators worked with law enforcement and other local partners in the investigation.
“Tennessee’s state parks and forests belong to every Tennessean, and protecting these treasured natural resources is a responsibility we take seriously,” Holt said in the agency’s statement.
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Cutting trees from public property is not a victimless crime, crime unit chief Greg Whitehead said in the statement.
“Beyond the financial loss, these actions permanently alter the landscape and damage public resources that cannot be replaced overnight,” Whitehead said. “We appreciate the cooperation of Savage Gulf State Park officials and the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office throughout this investigation.”
The department’s investigative unit, consisting of 10 agents, probes agricultural-related crimes across Tennessee, including livestock theft, timber theft, equipment theft, crop theft and other offenses affecting the state’s farms, forests and natural resources. The unit investigated 72 cases in July 2026.
Tennessee’s 12th Judicial District covers Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie counties.
Contact Southeast Tennessee reporter Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.
