In a troubling story from Tennessee, a sheriff’s deputy named Johnathan Allen has found himself in serious trouble. Just last week, he was arrested on charges related to child pornography and for allegedly having inappropriate conversations with a 13-year-old girl from South Carolina. This shocking news has left many, including his boss, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett, feeling outraged.
Sheriff Garrett expressed his anger in a statement, calling Allen’s alleged actions “disgusting” and emphasizing that the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) holds its personnel to very high standards. He made it clear that such behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Johnathan Allen, who is only 25 years old, had just graduated from a basic law enforcement academy on November 1 and had been working with the HCSO since 2021. He now faces serious charges, including three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of criminal solicitation of a minor. The situation came to light when the victim’s father discovered the inappropriate texting and contacted the police in York County, South Carolina. They were able to trace the messages back to Allen, who had been communicating with the girl on Reddit under the name “Josh.”
According to police reports, the messages exchanged between Allen and the minor were sexual in nature, with Allen allegedly asking for photos and videos. When questioned about his age, he only hinted at being older by saying he had “already gone through puberty,” which raised further concerns.
After the York County Sheriff’s Office filed for an arrest warrant, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search of Allen’s electronic devices, leading to his arrest. Sheriff Garrett has placed Allen on administrative leave while the investigation continues, stating that a pre-disciplinary hearing will take place soon. For now, Allen will remain on paid leave for 14 days, after which he will transition to unpaid leave pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.
This incident marks a troubling trend, as Allen is the third deputy from Hamilton County to be arrested in just three months. Another deputy was fired for a DUI charge, and yet another was arrested for allegedly threatening a student at Cleveland State Community College.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for law enforcement to uphold the trust placed in them by the community.
