Lisa Merryman Arrested for Embezzlement

For additional information
Contact: Inv. James Kemp
Officer Bill Storment

The Gallatin Police Department recently received a report of an embezzlement that occurred at the KIDZ Zone after school program in Gallatin. The initial investigation revealed that Lisa Merryman, age 44 of Gallatin, had used KIDZ Zone funds to make purchases for personal items that were unaccounted for by the Sumner County Board of Education. KIDZ Zone is a program of the Sumner County Board of Education that provides safe, educationally enriching, quality care for school age children at Union Elementary School in Gallatin. Further investigation revealed that Merryman had deposited more than $18,000 in checks made out to KIDZ Zone into her personal bank account between July 2011 and February 2012. On Monday, February 20, 2012, Merryman turned herself in to the Gallatin Police Department where she was arrested and charged with one count of Theft over $10,000. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Anyone with information related to any other crimes that have occurred in Gallatin are asked to contact the Gallatin Police Department at 452-1313.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Officer of the Year Announced

For additional information
Contact: Lt. Billy Vahldiek
Officer Bill Storment

The Gallatin Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Scottie King was recently awarded the American Legion National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the state of Tennessee. Officer King was presented with this award at a banquet held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 and will subsequently be a candidate for the National award. The national award recipient will be selected in the spring and recognized at the American Legion’s annual convention in August. Officer King has been an officer with the Gallatin Police Department since 2006. Prior to 2006, Officer King served as a Reserve officer, volunteering his time to the department. Officer King’s nomination for this award includes numerous citations of his outstanding character and job performance as a Gallatin Police Officer. The nomination for this award states that Officer King has received several Meritorious Service awards for his enforcement efforts in the Traffic Division where he made the most DUI arrests in 2007 (169 DUI arrests) and 2008 (131 DUI arrests) as well as other commendations for his dedication to investigative follow-ups that have led to numerous felony arrests. Officer King was also awarded commendations for his outstanding performance following the 2006 tornado and the 2010 floods that affected Gallatin. In all, Officer King has received 13 department awards, including Officer of the Year in 2011. In addition to these awards, Officer King serves on the Crisis Negotiation Team, the Department Peer Support team and teaches on traffic safety and DUI prevention in the Gallatin schools and in the community. Officer King is a proven leader in the department and in the community and is to be congratulated for this tremendous accomplishment.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Multi-State Check Fraud Arrest

For additional information
Contact: Lt. Lamar Ballard
Officer Bill Storment

Gallatin Police report that they have arrested an out of state woman in connection to a multi-state check fraud operation. Angela Stahl 27 years of age was arrested on January 13, 2012 after employees of the Food Lion grocery store at 471 E. Main Street recognized her from e-mailed security alerts distributed to store employees regarding this known criminal activity that had been reported. Ms. Stahl attempted to cash a check for $495.00 drawn on an account from the YMCA of Gallatin. Food Lion employees notified police and upon being detained by Gallatin Police Officers, Ms. Stahl initially gave a false name and presented false identification. Further investigation by officers revealed that Ms. Stahl had numerous identifications in her possession and gave several conflicting stories to account for her conduct. After determining the correct identification of Ms. Stahl, it was discovered that she was wanted in numerous jurisdictions in Tennessee for the same fraudulent activity. She was also wanted on an outstanding warrant in Georgia. The investigation is ongoing with reports of the check fraud operation being perpetrated in Chattanooga, Red Bank, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, East Ridge and Hamilton County in Tennessee and at least in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri and Indiana. Investigators are working with those other jurisdictions to attempt to identify other suspects involved in this fraud operation. Ms. Stahl was arrested and placed in the Sumner County Jail charged with 2 counts of Criminal Impersonation, 2 counts of Forgery, Criminal Simulation and Using False Identification.

Anyone with information related to this or any other crimes or that have occurred in Gallatin is asked to contact the Gallatin Police Department at 452-1313.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Wal-Mart Theft

For additional information
Contact: Officer Huston Callaway
Officer Bill Storment

Gallatin Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify and locate a suspect involved in the theft of 4 digital cameras from the Gallatin Wal-Mart on January 20, 2012. Video surveillance captured the suspect as he entered and then later exited the store. The suspect removed the cameras and accessories from their boxes, concealed them, and left the store without paying for them. The total value of the cameras is over $1000.00. The empty boxes were discovered and store security video reviewed to identify the suspect. The suspect is described as a heavy set white male approximately 25-35 years of age. The photos below show the suspect.

Anyone having information concerning the identity or whereabouts of the suspect pictured below is requested to call the Gallatin Police Department at 615-452-1313.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012