News & Events
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Launches New Text-to-Tip Option
November 06, 2025
Knoxville, TN – [November 6, 2025] — East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers is excited to announce a new and convenient way for community members to submit anonymous crime tips — text messaging.
Residents can now text ETTips to 738477 to receive a link to the Crime Stoppers’ secure, anonymous tip form. This new option makes it easier than ever for individuals to share information that could help prevent or solve crimes — all while maintaining complete anonymity.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers now offers four easy and secure ways to submit anonymous tips:
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Call: 865-215-7165 or TIPS
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Text: ETTips to 738477
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App: P3TIPS (available for free download on Android and iOS)
Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
(P3 Terms and Privacy Policy apply.)
“This new text-to-tip option makes it even easier for our community to get involved,” said Stacey Payne, Executive Director of East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. “Every tip — no matter how small — can make a difference in solving a crime, locating a fugitive, or finding a missing person. And the best part is that tipsters remain completely anonymous while helping make our communities safer places to live and work.”
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers encourages everyone to use one of the four available tip methods to share anonymous information that can help solve or prevent crime.
Together, we are making a difference in our communities.
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Urges Public’s Help in Finding Missing Sharps Chapel Man
November 04, 2025
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers and the Union County Sheriff’s Office are once again asking for the public’s help to locate William Harrell, who has been missing since June 23, 2025, from his home in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee.
William was last seen wearing only underwear and no shirt and is believed to have recently trimmed his beard into a short style. Despite months of searching hundreds of acres and following every lead, William remains missing.
An anonymous donor has contributed $1,000 to the Crime Stoppers reward fund, bringing the total possible reward to $3,000 for information submitted anonymously to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers that leads to finding William Harrell.
“The family cannot go through the grieving process without knowing where William is and what happened to him,” said William’s aunt, Ruby. “They are stuck in a never-ending cycle of questions with no answers.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers:
Call: 865-215-7165 or **TIPS
Online: EastTNValleyCrimeStoppers.org
App: P3 TIPS
Together, We're Making East Tennessee Safer
July 01, 2025
Blount County Sheriff's Office Deputy Killed in Line of Duty
February 09, 2024
Last night, February 8, 2024 a deputy with the Blount County Sheriff's Office was killed in the line of duty and another deputy was shot.
Blount County Sheriff's Office
Rise & Shine - The Crime Fighting Cup are Here!
January 26, 2024
Crime Fighting Coffee Cups
January 24, 2024
The cups are in! We expect them to arrive in our offices by tomorrow afternoon so, you still have today to take advantage of this awesome deal & secure your 15-oz Crime Stoppers cup at the low price of $15 each. To take advantage of this special offer you must pre-order your cup by clicking on here. Once they're in our office the price increases to $20 per cup. Help support your local East TN Valley Crime Stoppers in making our communities safer by buying a cup today. All proceeds go to fighting crime in East Tennessee.
2023 4th Qtr Newsletter
January 12, 2024
Ensuring a Safe Halloween with "Operation Blackout"
October 30, 2023
"Operation Blackout" lists a few simple rules registered sex offenders in Tennessee must follow to remain in compliance with their release, but as parents there are a few simple steps we can take to ensure a fun and safe night for our little ghouls and goblins:
- Check for registered sex offenders in your area using the TN Sex Offender Registry at www.tbi.gov
- Ensure that a trusted adult accompanies the children at all times
- Explore local Halloween events such as Fall Festivals or Truck or Treats to add to the holiday fun
Let's work together to make this Halloween both enjoyable and secure for everyone!
Honoring Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely
October 03, 2023
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and every Sunday during this month you will have an opportunity to learn more about domestic violence as we work to raise awareness throughout our communities.
Sadly, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office lost a deputy, Deputy Tucker Blakely, who was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday night. Deputy Blakely was responding to a domestic violence call. A call that is widely recognized in the law enforcement community as one of the most dangerous calls law enforcement answers. Deputy Blakely answered this call Sunday night and as we work to bring awareness to the victims of domestic violence let us also remember those brave first responders who have lost their lives answering these dangerous calls.
Please take a few moments to lift up Deputy Blakely’s family as well as the men and women at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this time. Deputy Blakely leaves behind his family, a wife and 5-year-old son as well as countless friends.
EOW 10/02/2023
National Day of Remembrance of Murder Victims - Unsolved Homicides - Knoxville, TN 2022 - 2023
September 25, 2023
18 Counts of Sex Crimes Against a Child
September 11, 2023
The United States Marshals Service and the Indiana State Police are asking for the publics assistance in locating a former Madison County, Indiana councilman charged with raping an underage girl. 55-year-old Steve Sumner, who also goes by Craig, is charged with 18 counts in the case, including 15 felony counts related to the rape.
There is reason to believe Sumner has been in and may still be in the Gatlinburg, TN area. He also has connections to the Waynesville, NC area and Maryland.
Sumner has a history of participating in the Nazarene Church in Montana & Colorado having attended the Nazarene Church Bible College. He may also be working as a handyman.
Sumner is being assisted by a female, Sharon Bailey Wood Barker, 5’7”, 125 lbs, blonde hair, which she may have dyed.
Please help us get the word out about these two and if you see them or have any information on where they may be hiding contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. CASH reward possible.
East TN Valley Crime Stoppers - 2nd Qtr 2023 Newsletter
September 01, 2023
East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers Hits Milestone!
July 24, 2023
Your shares, RT’s, and tips have helped East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers reach a milestone today.
As of this morning, July 24, 2023, we have helped local law enforcement make 100 arrests thanks to tips received from people throughout our region.
In addition to these arrests, we have received tips that have led to apprehension of 60 fugitives, the closure of 128, the recovery of $86,167 worth of stolen property plus, 3 firearms, as well as the seizing of $92,114 worth of illegal drugs.
And…we have approved the payout of just over $40,000 in reward money.
Together we are making a difference in East Tennessee!
Thank you for your support and tips.
1 Down, 1 to Go
June 30, 2023
UPDATE: On Monday, June 26th at approximately 6 PM Alvino Cornelius AKA Vino or Kash was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals in Detroit Michigan without incident and is now sitting in the Wayne County, MI Jail.
Police had been looking for him since April 23, 2023 for an aggravated rape that happened in Knoxville, TN. Police are still looking for his partner Donjae Demarco Bell AKA Risk Taker or Codeine.
As we first reported in May, both Cornelius and Bell have connections to the Detroit, MI and Connellsville, PA areas.
If you have any information on where Bell may be hiding contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers today. You will remain anonymous and if your tip leads to his arrest you will be eligible for a CASH reward.
Sex Offender Registry Violator Apprehended Thanks to Crime Stoppers Tips
June 08, 2023
After receiving numerous tips on the location of fugitive Jeffrey Potter the U.S. Marshals Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force along with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office was able to take him into custody without incident.
Potter was wanted for violating the Sex Offender Registry Requirements stemming from an Aggravated Sexual Battery of a Child conviction.
Potter is facing numerous felony charges to include:
Violation of Sex Offender Registry Requirements
Violation of Community Supervision/Probation
Felony Evading Arrest
Misdemeanor Evading Arrest
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Thank you to everyone who shared our post and submitted a tip. Together we are making a difference in East Tennessee.
Together We Can Make a Difference!
April 05, 2023
How does your sponsorship make a difference?
We pay our tipsters cash rewards to help law enforcement solve crimes, apprehend fugitives and shut down drug houses and arrest drug offenders. Your sponsorship provides the money required to pay for these tips. We have been very successful so far and need your help to continue making our community safer for everyone.
- $25,000 sponsorship will help us apprehend 25 felons and guns from our streets.
- $10,000 sponsorship helps remove 35 fugitives from our streets waned on aggravated assault charges.
- $5,000 sponsorship helps take 14 criminals with felony charges off of our local streets.
- $2,500 sponsorship will help remove approximately 80 grams of meth from our streets
- $1,000 sponsorship will help close 4 residential burglary cases.
- $250 sponsorship will help remove approximately 3 grams of heroin from our streets
Donations may be tax deductible.
Really Missing?
March 20, 2023
Valentine's Day Month-Long Special
February 07, 2023
February is the month for celebrating the love in your life. And we don’t want you to forget those exes’ that did you wrong either!
Do you have an ex-Valentine and know they have outstanding warrants? Do you have information that they are driving with drugs in their car? Give us a call with their location and we’ll take care of the rest.
This Valentine’s Day month-long Special starts off with a set of limited-edition platinum bracelets, free transportation with a chauffeur, a one-night minimum stay in luxurious accommodations and professional glamour shots that will be posted online for all to enjoy. This special is capped off with a special Valentine’s dinner.
We know this special is so incredible that you may be tempted to provide additional referrals. We don't blame you, this special is too sweet to pass up. Operators are standing by!
We have 3-ways you can get in on this Special - call 865-215-7165 or **TIPS, go online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or use the P3 TIPS app.
Remember your tip may = a CASH reward!
(Laugh all you want, but someone reading this is about to call us and give someone up!)
Don't Take the Bait
January 07, 2023
Chances are we all of have received a phishing text, email or phone call recently and if you have not there’s probably one waiting in your inbox. It’s the easiest way for scammers to cast out their hook and find someone willing to bite, but there are several things we can do to protect ourselves and our personal information.
First, let’s take a look at some of the popular phishing messages. These messages have one thing in common they are designed to grab your attention.
- Text message or email saying your bank account or credit card has been locked due to fraud.
- Emails or calls claiming your computer has been infected and you need to click “here” to let them fix it.
- Emails and text messages claiming you’ve won a reward, such as a gift card – ex. $75 in free groceries from Walmart, Amazon, etc.
- Email or message from a “friend” that you normally do not hear from.
Now, how do you avoid taking the bait?
- Think before biting, before you click on that email or open the text message take a real close look at the address, URL and spelling.
- Ask why would anyone need my computer information or bank information.
- Ask why is someone you normally don’t hear from emailing you out to the blue. Consider reaching out to them before clicking to confirm they really did message/email you.
Lastly, consider taking a proactive step and setting up 2-factor authentication on your accounts. This will make it harder for a scammer to gain access to your accounts even if you inadvertently give out information to a phisher.
For more information about online safety visit www.consumer.ftc.gov.
Making a Difference in East Tennessee
January 06, 2023
2022 was our first full year and it was a VERY busy and successful year. Take a look at some of these facts and figures then take a scroll through our page to see if you recognize anyone. Maybe you will be the next person to receive some $$$$.
To everyone following us, who have liked our page, shared our posts and submitted a tip THANK YOU! You are the reason we have such great numbers to report. If you have not invited your friends to follow us do so now. The more people who see our posts the better chance we have of getting the information to solve crimes and locate fugitives.
Remember, when you submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers you will REMAIN ANONYMOUS and be paid a CASH reward if your tip leads to the issuance of a warrant or an arrest.
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