La Shawn Pagan obtained a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. After working a few years in the legal field as a paralegal and researcher, she began her career as a journalist at the Queens Courier/El Correo de Queens also in New York. Soon after, she completed an internship at the United Nations where she eventually was hired as an investigative reporter focusing on human rights violations at the UN. Pagan has also written, directed and produced a documentary film called Forced into Silence, which earned her a best documentary award in 2015. She recently obtained a certification on Film and Television Essentials through NYU and is writing two books. She is an advocate for gender equality and mental health awareness. She loves reading, music, her friends and her dogs.
A Chattanooga attorney on Monday asked for his client's trial to be moved to a new venue following a news conference last month at which Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond held up his photo.
by La Shawn Pagan 4 hours agoHamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond requested a $6.5 million budget increase from the County Commission on Wednesday.
by La Shawn PaganMelydia Clewell will resign from her position as chief of staff at the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office effective May 17, after more than a year of controversy over nepotism at the agency.
by La Shawn PaganThe Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is seeking an increased budget to hire more correctional officers in hopes of adequately staffing Silverdale Detention Center, where assaults and rapes have left District Attorney Neal Pinkston calling it "the most dangerous place in the county."
by La Shawn PaganA Middle Valley Elementary School student allegedly brought a firearm to school, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
by La Shawn PaganA man claiming, falsely, to be the president of the Tennessee Valley Authority led police on a chase Friday night — while driving a yacht.
by La Shawn PaganFormer Chattanooga Councilman Erskine Oglesby, who was placed on administrative leave by Mayor Tim Kelly pending an investigation after he was arrested and charged with theft from two supermarkets, resigned on Friday.
by La Shawn PaganHamilton County voters elected two new judges Tuesday — choosing former prosecutor and public defender Boyd Patterson for the Criminal Court, Division 3, seat, and putting political newcomer Mike Dumitru on the bench in Circuit Court, Division 2.
by La Shawn PaganThe Chattanooga Police Department launched a new mobile app intended to help the community stay safe and informed.
by La Shawn PaganAn inmate at Silverdale Detention Center awaiting trial on misdemeanor theft charges will be transported to a polling place Tuesday to cast her vote in the primary election after Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes approved a request filed with the court Monday.
by La Shawn PaganFormer Chattanooga City Councilman Erskine Oglesby turned himself in to the Silverdale Detention Center last week on an additional theft charge, according to a Wednesday arrest report by Chattanooga police.
by La Shawn PaganCommunity leaders urged Chattanooga-area boys Saturday to seek out their purpose in life as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga hosted the 10th annual Boys Leadership Summit.
by La Shawn PaganHamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don W. Poole overruled Thursday a motion requesting a new trial for the woman convicted of the 2019 hit-and-run death of a Chattanooga police officer.
by La Shawn PaganHamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond was defiant Thursday as he responded in a news conference to complaints that his department has presided over incidents involving violence against prisoners at the Silverdale Detention Center and violence involving deputies against members of the public.
by La Shawn PaganA Signal Mountain man was sentenced to two years in prison Wednesday for criminally negligent homicide in the 2018 death of a 2-year-old Hixson girl.
by La Shawn PaganThe Hamilton County Sheriff's Office confirmed two assaults occurred Tuesday afternoon at Silverdale Detention Center.
by La Shawn PaganA Chattanooga man convicted and sentenced to serve life without parole in the 1993 murder of his former girlfriend appeared in court Tuesday morning to ask the court to review evidence in his case in the hopes it would lessen his sentence.
by La Shawn PaganHamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston committed Monday afternoon to requesting a U.S. Department of Justice probe into incidents of use of force by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and its operation of Silverdale Detention Center.
by La Shawn PaganThe business administrator at a church in Cleveland, Tennessee, allegedly defrauded his employer of tens of thousands of dollars over six years, according to an affidavit accompanying an application for a search warrant filed earlier this month by the FBI.
by La Shawn PaganA religious event scheduled at the Chattanooga Convention Center for the end of May was canceled following pushback from the public and a declaration from the Diocese of Knoxville temporarily barring the three speakers from teaching or otherwise representing the Catholic faith in the diocese.
by Wyatt Massey and La Shawn Pagan