Update: Fentress County Sheriff Michael Raegon has submitted his resignation, effective immediately, according to Chief Deputy Hunter Fowler.
Fowler said he has assumed operational leadership of the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office and that all law enforcement and public safety operations will continue without interruption.
"I appreciate the continued trust and support of our community as we move forward," Fowler said. "Transparency, accountability, and service will remain the foundation of this agency."
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says an investigation has led to the indictment of Fentress County Sheriff Michael “Bigfoot” Reagon and a former sheriff’s detective on charges of tampering with government records.
According to the TBI, agents began investigating in April after a request from the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference involving allegations of misconduct by Sheriff Reagon, 58, and former Detective Jerry Lynn Mifflin, 53. Investigators found that in December 2024, Mifflin — at Reagon’s direction — fraudulently completed mandatory in-service P.O.S.T. training courses for Reagon. The TBI says the credits were required to maintain state certification and made Reagon eligible for a salary supplement.
A Fentress County Grand Jury returned indictments Wednesday. Mifflin turned himself in and was booked on a $10,000 bond. Reagon was booked into the Fentress County Jail at 2:49 p.m. Thursday and released at 3:18 p.m. on his own recognizance.
Chief Deputy Hunter Fowler said all sheriff’s office operations will continue without interruption.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at holly.lehren@newschannel5.com.
Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.
Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.
Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.
- Rhori Johnston
