CCSO deputy subject of TBI inquiry into complaint of misconduct

Published 7:08 pm Tuesday, May 22, 2018

A Carter County deputy has been placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate an allegation that he shoved a juvenile while off duty.

Carter County Sheriff Dexter Lunceford announced on Tuesday that Deputy Nick Andes was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an inquiry by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

According to a statement released by Lunceford, the investigation stems from an incident which happened during the evening hours on Friday, May 18, on West Fifth Street in Watauga. Andes was off duty when the incident allegedly took place.

“Witnesses say he displayed a weapon and a badge, and accuse him of shoving a juvenile who Andes believed threw rocks at his child,” the statement released by Lunceford said.

Lunceford said the Sheriff’s Department conducted an initial inquiry into the incident, and he then requested the TBI conduct an independent investigation.

A TBI spokesperson confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation against the deputy.

“This morning, we received a request from 1st District Attorney General Ken Baldwin’s office to open an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving Nick Andes, a deputy with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office,” TBI Spokesperson Leslie Earhart said in response to a request for information from the Elizabethton Star. “As with any TBI investigation, Agents will collect any and all relevant evidence and interviews and, in turn, submit investigative findings to the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration.”

No further information was immediately available regarding the incident or the investigation.