LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – On July 8, Campbell County Sheriff’s Sgt. Joe Hopson went to Norris Lake Boat Center at 1809 Jacksboro Pike, LaFollette about a possible assault. When Hopson arrived, the victim said he had been working in the boat yard when he saw a vehicle speeding up the driveway.  When the victim walked up to the car to tell them to slow down, he found two young men in the vehicle.

At this point, someone inside the business came out and told the victim there was an irate person inside the store. The victim went inside the store and saw Thomas Dewayne Morrell walking toward him. He then was asked by Morrell to step outside and as soon as they walked through the door, Morrell allegedly struck him in the face with a closed fist, according to the report.

There was a struggle and Morrell allegedly pulled a knife out of his pocket and another bystander took it from him, according to a report from the sheriff’s department. The victim stated that Morrell made threats to come back to the business and shoot him with a .38.

Hopson reviewed store video footage that showed Morrell, driving very erratically, throwing the first punch, pulling a knife and heard him make threats to come back and shoot the victim.

Later that same day,  Hopson and Deputy David Wormsley went to Morrell’s home at Speedwell.  Morrell was arrested without incident.

Morrell, 50, 423 Powell Valley Shores Circle, Speedwell is charged with aggravated assault and drivers to exercise due care.

A court date of July 23 is set for Morrell.  Based on jail records, he remains housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning on a $350,000 bond along with a hold for the State of Mississippi.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/16/2020-6AM)

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