![]() ![]() He plans to log his usual six to 10 miles and will then spend the rest of each day at listening and learning events and campaign stops along the route. “I sincerely appreciate and am honored for the endorsement and support of these outstanding local leaders – but even more grateful for their ongoing advice and counsel,” Boyd said in the release.īoyd’s run will begin Wednesday at the Virginia state line in Bristol. ![]() The Knoxville businessman and former economic and community development commissioner for the state, announced the endorsements on the eve of his run across the state. In a news release Monday, Boyd announced another 21 mayors have endorsed his campaign bringing the total county mayor endorsements to 45. Tyler Whetstone Knoxville News Sentinel View Comments 0:02 1:35 A teenage boy was killed and a police officer wounded Monday afternoon in a shootout at Austin-East Magnet High School in. Subscribe online at /subscribe.KNOXVILLE - Republican governor candidate Randy Boyd continues to rack up support from county mayors from across the state. Make our community, our society and our republic stronger by supporting robust local journalism. Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. The charge of sexual battery by an authority figure is used against defendants who use their job or legal status to take advantage of their victim, or who have parental or custodial authority. The church’s pastor, Brent Watts, has said he was not aware of any legal issues for Abbott. While at the church, Abbott led a group named Balling, which was "a small group meant to fellowship in the love of recreational activities to get the ole pumper going.” The page listing the group has since been removed from the church’s website. He made his way to Matthews, North Carolina, where he volunteered at Abundant Life Church, an Apostolic congregation near Charlotte. Why was he in North Carolina?Īs previously reported by Knox News, Abbott moved after being accused of having the relationship with the girl. Knox News is not naming the girl or her family because she is a minor and says she's a victim of sexual abuse. Police began investigating Abbott in June after he was accused by the girl's parents of sex abuse. The family is suing for $4.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Story continues The family has filed a lawsuitĪbbott, First Apostolic Church of Maryville and the school it runs have been sued by the parents of the girl on allegations he sexually assaulted her several times in 2022. He was originally scheduled to be back in Blount County court March 17 for a status hearing but that has been postponed until April 17. How we got hereĪbbott was arrested in January in North Carolina and brought to Blount County on a charge of sexual battery by an authority figure after being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. "We will follow all conditions of release and appear in court as scheduled," he said. "We have not yet had an opportunity to carefully review or investigate the allegations, but these allegations were not unforeseen," Cooper said in an emailed statement to Knox News. Public records don't disclose how the two were interacting in Sevier County, but First Apostolic Church of Maryville has a satellite campus in Sevierville.Ībbott's attorney Jonathan Cooper said Abbott voluntarily surrendered to Sevier County authorities Friday and was released on bond. ![]() The new charges stem from a Sevier County grand jury, which returned the charges after determining there was enough evidence to show Abbott committed a crime against a minor. ![]()
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