Murray 911 operator to be fired

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June 16, 2009

Mark Millican

A Murray County 911 operator will be fired Wednesday for illegally “running” a license plate for a friend while on duty, said sole commissioner David Ridley.

Billie Jane Allen, 32, of 356 W. Walnut St. in Chatsworth, was charged with computer invasion of privacy by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, said Chief Deputy Ray Sitton.

Regina Lynn Blackwell, 35, of 603 Parson Road, Lot 4, in Chatsworth, was also charged with computer invasion of privacy. Blackwell asked Allen to find out who owned a vehicle from a license plate number she had written down, according to the sheriff’s office.

Allen was placed on a three-day suspension that began Monday, said Ridley. He said she will be fired Wednesday as of 5 p.m.

“She’s serving the second day of her suspension,” Ridley said when asked Allen’s status on Tuesday. “It’s an automatic three-day suspension, according to county policy, and the county manager investigates during that time. She will be terminated Wednesday.”

Ridley said 911 director Peggy Vick called him on Monday to tell him Allen had been arrested, and stated, “We took action according to the personnel policy.” He said Allen had “previous disciplinary problems,” but declined to comment, citing confidentiality issues.

Allen was arrested in July of 2006 for simple battery but the charge was dismissed, said assistant district attorney Scott Minter.

Blackwell was arrested on June 8, 2005, for possession of ephedrine, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm or knife while trying to commit a crime, possession of methamphetamine and possession of tools for the commission of a crime. She was indicted along with her husband, Nathaniel Bryan Blackwell, on April 26, 2006, for possession of ephedrine and manufacturing meth. Nathaniel Blackwell took responsibility for the charges and received 10 years in prison. As part of the deal the charges were dismissed against Regina Blackwell, Minter said.

District Attorney Kermit McManus said his office will evaluate the cases against Allen and Blackwell after sheriff’s office investigators present the evidence to him. Presentations could be made to the grand jury — more likely in August than July at this point, he said — and if an indictment is returned arraignment will be in the month following the grand jury’s convening.

Allen was released on a $1,000 bond on Monday. Blackwell left jail on a $1,000 bond on Tuesday. Phone numbers for Allen and Blackwell could not be found.