Twelve people have been indicted by the Trousdale County Grand Jury in connection with the riot at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center on June 8.
On June 16, the Grand Jury met to consider charges involving the Correctional Center, returning a total of 41 indictments, but only 12 relating to the riot. Of the 12, each received multiple charges ranging from aggravated riot, inciting a riot, robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, vandalism and contraband in a penal institution.
鈥淭hese are only the first round of indictments relating to the riot occurring on June 8, 2025, and was really all of the cases that could be prepared in the short time of one week,鈥 Jason Lawson, 15th Judicial District Attorney General, said. 鈥淚nvestigators continue to review footage and identify those involved, and I expect many more indictments to be forthcoming at future sessions of the Grand Jury. The indictments returned do include the key leadership group responsible for the riot.鈥
Anyone who participated in the riot was charged with aggravated riot, where those who actively promoted or caused it to happen received the inciting a riot charge. The inmates indicted with these charges have not been served with a copy of their charges yet, so the DA鈥檚 office has not released their names.
Other charges indicted by the Grand Jury not related to the June 8 riot include contraband in a penal institution, attempted murder, aggravated assault, vandalism and indecent exposure by inmates to prison staff.
One of the indictments actually involves a staff member, accused of introducing drugs into the prison and official misconduct.
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply concerned about the recent incident and ongoing issues at Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility. For the safety of inmates, staff and the public, the state must intervene. I鈥檓 joining District Attorney General Jason Lawson in calling for the Tennessee Department of Corrections to take over the facility,鈥 State Representative Michael Hale said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to work with state leaders to ensure TTCC is managed safely, efficiently and responsibly. Thank you to the law enforcement agencies, including the Smith County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, who responded quickly and supported TTCC staff as they resolved the situation.鈥
鈥淚 am grateful for the leadership shown by Representative Hale in calling for the transfer of management of the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center to the Tennessee Department of Corrections. The problems at Trousdale Turner have persisted for far too long, and only a change in management will cause a change in direction,鈥 Lawson said. 鈥淚 ask other state leaders to join Representative Hale in taking this commonsense step for the safety of the employees, inmates, and the Trousdale, Smith, and Macon County communities.鈥
The Tennessee Department of Corrections has announced its intention to investigate TTCC.
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