DUFF, TN (WLAF) – Last Wednesday, on June 29, Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Raymond Surber was investigating with the CSX Railroad police department regarding thefts to the pusher station and employees’ vehicles.

Surber went to the home of a suspect, William Franklin Cox, at 4667 North Highway 25W in Duff. Surber and special agents with the CSX made contact with Cox who was inside his residence. Upon speaking with Cox, he was asked for permission to search his home by CSX Special Agent Mitch Thompson who also obtained a consent to search form which was read to him. Cox was also read a Miranda Rights form, according to a report from the sheriff’s office.

A search of the home revealed two switch locks (railroad issued), a pack of railroad issued work gloves, two zero gravity chairs that were taken from inside the pusher station on Sawmill Lane at Duff. Also found was a bolster pin, track bolt and ear plug that were all railroad property. Based on the recovered switch key and locomotive key which interrupted rail service as Cox prevented CSX employees from entering locomotives and delaying all traffic from climbing Jellico Mountain between Corbin, KY and Knoxville, TN. The pusher locomotives were unable to work until additional keys were located.

Cox, 24, 4667 Hwy 25W, Duff was charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence, two counts of theft of property under $999 and other. Cox remains housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning on a $155,000 bond and awaits a July 14 court date. According to jail records, this as the 12th time Cox has been arrested. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/07/2022-6AM)

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