A large showing of law enforcement officials was present in the courtroom Friday morning when Hamilton County sheriff’s deputy Daniel Wilkey appeared before a judge for the first time since being indicted on more than 40 charges, including several felonies and misdemeanors.
It was one of two hearings for Wilkey on Friday – the second being for one of the civil cases in federal court.
The 26-year-old deputy has been at the center of a criminal investigation and 11 civil lawsuits, including one alleging the wrongful death of a Rhea County man, over the course of his six-year career in law enforcement. He was indicted last week on 44 criminal charges, including six counts of sexual battery, two counts of rape and nine counts of official oppression.
It was a packed courtroom Friday, with a mix of defendants listed on the docket and law enforcement officers. It wasn’t clear if the officers were there to show support for Wilkey or there to provide security, and a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson wouldn’t comment. But the sheriff’s office does provide courtroom security.
Accompanied by attorney Ben McGowan, the deputy was the first defendant called before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman.