Caught on Tape: Sevier Co. Sheriff accused of assault

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Posted: 5:30 PM Mar 18, 2008
Last Updated: 9:17 PM Mar 18, 2008

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Sevier County (WVLT) -- Public remarks lead to a public confrontation in Sevier County, where a former political opponent claims Sheriff Ron Seals assaulted him.

It happened Monday night as the county commission quickly adjourned a public meeting while Brad Lowe was speaking.

Volunteer TV's Rob Pratt joins us with more, including video of the incident that you'll see only on WVLT.

Brad Lowe admits he wanted to be sheriff, and it's no secret that he and Sheriff Seals do not get along.

But he says what happened to him Monday night is inexcusable, and he wants to see Sheriff Seals prosecuted for assault.

The Sevier County Commission gave Brad Lowe a chance to speak last night, but not for long.

When he started making accusations about abuse by jailers, commissioners adjourned the meeting.

Lowe kept his own camera rolling as the Sheriff crossed the room to confront him.

Lowe:"Oh no, that's an assault sir."
Seals:"I didn't assault you."
Lowe:"Yes you did. That hit me. I'm going to got take out a warrant for you sir."
Seals:"Do what you need to."
Lowe:"I will"
Seals:"Do what you need to."
Lowe:"I will fat boy."
Deputy:Hey, hey."
Seals:"You need to go."

Lowe says Seals assaulted him when he slapped the camera lens and his hand.

Lowe talked to District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn this afternoon, hoping prosecutors will pursue assault charges against the Sheriff, "If that's the way he's going to deal with problems, I think he needs to see a psychiatrist."

Clark King was at the meeting.

He's admits he's had problems with the sheriff before, but says the sheriff is the problem, "Sheriff Seals is way out of line in his conduct toward me personally earlier, he's way out of line in his conduct toward Mr. Lowe, and you shouldn't have public officials like that."

We tried to give Sheriff Seals a chance to tell his side of the story, but his staff told us the Sheriff is out of the office.

We left our phone number, but we haven't heard from the Sheriff.

Chief deputy Larry McMahan would not comment either, saying he'd prefer that any comment come from the sheriff.

Lowe says, "When my rights are infringed upon, it will soon be your rights that are infringed upon, and therefore, if we don't take a stand now, I just hate to think what could happen."

Let's be clear, no charges have been filed against Sheriff Seals or anyone at this point.

We talked with District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, but he could not comment.

Lowe says if local prosecutors do nothing, he'll contact the united states justice department, hoping they will get involved.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Liz Location: Sevierville on Mar 24, 2008 at 02:23 PM
1st of all, Mr. Lowe needs to get a life, then he needs to get a clue. People are not going to vote for him for good reason. 2nd, I agree with Scott that the good ole boy system is not a good thing for the community. I was under the impression that the "spoils system" was thrown out upon President Garfield's assassination and the Pendelton Civil Service Act of 1883. Sevier County needs to get with the time!

Posted by: Debbie French Location: Sevierville on Mar 23, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I get it now, Born & Raised you meant coparazzi, lol, pretty good, but really with all these negative posts about The Sheriff, do you really think the Citizens of our county are stupid enough to think your who you say you are? Let's give Mr. Seals a term in office and see what happens,Rome wasn't built in a day. And YES there are Officers who have College Educations and have been to the Police Academy. I know quite a few of them. Thats beside the point, my friends will tell you, your my friend and you do wrong I'll be the first to call you on it. All I am asking is give peace a chance, lets see how it goes, after all its not like Mr. Seals ask to be bumped up to Sheriff, it came in the wake of a death, not something he did. God Bless the former Sheriff's family, with people making comments about Mr. Montgomery, he's not here to defend himself so please leave him out of it. By the way I'm signing my "REAL" name cause if I have something to say to you, I do it to your face not under anlis

Posted by: PJ Brett Location: Seymour on Mar 23, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Congratulations to the previous poster Cop you have hit it right on the head with your post. How many of those "Good ole boys" have a college education or have attended a Police Academy. I was going to make a comment about Staph Infections and how this nasty illness is common in the Sevier County Jail. How the "Good Ole Boys" do nothing about it. Staph-related illness can range from mild and requiring no treatment to severe and potentially fatal. All these issues need to be addressed and soon. Sevier County needs to catch up with modern day law enforcement.

Posted by: Cop Location: Sevierville on Mar 21, 2008 at 01:47 PM
I have been in law enforcement for 10 years and I have known Seals for the entire time. Thankfully, I am lucky enough to work for a much better department. Its sad to see the county I grew up in still stuck in the age of the "good ole boy" syndrome. Whats makes it worse is that the good ole boys in Sevier County dont have the determination, education or willingness to bring the sheriffs office up to the standards of Knox or Blount County Sheriffs Office or Knoxville Police Department. Seals, to say the least, has been in the background of his former sheriff Montgomery, who was just as bad. Seals has no place being sheriff of that county. He has no understanding of modern day law enforcement. He is in there to keep it under Larry Waters control. When will the voters realize change is needed. And by the way, I dont support Lowe, Pierce or Layman. Sevier County needs a veteran street cop from a much larger agency to come in and move the department in a progressive direction.

Posted by: Truth Location: Knoxville on Mar 21, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I wonder about all these accusations about Sevier County Jail,I beleive in pushiment for crime but first and formost we must uphell the law for all and no one is above it or below it no matter our opinion or position.I'm not shore who is wrong or right but we need to find out because it make us all look bad.

Posted by: goodness Location: TN on Mar 20, 2008 at 08:55 PM
How stupid. People are so bored in these small counties. so so so so so sad!!

Posted by: Gary Location: Sevier County on Mar 20, 2008 at 07:49 PM
I have known Sheriff Ron Seals personally for years and know him to be a kind, decent, good man who takes the welfare of Sevier Countains to heart. This is way more that I can say about Mr. Lowe, Mr. King or this reporter for WVLT. Maybe the reason he declined to speak to WVLT is because he knew they would get

Posted by: Law Dawg Location: Knoxville on Mar 20, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Unfortunately, there will always be difficulties in dealing with the public in general. However, for the leadership to suddenly close the meeting, can only mean one thing. There is something to hide. Sevierville looks a little like Mayberry right now. Let's bring a little honor to the badge gentlemen.

Posted by: mr da Location: nashville on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:56 PM
if they won't do something about this I will step in

Posted by: Corruption Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Looks like the deputy's are bust posting trying save Seals butt,he was out of line if you can't take the heat, work at wal mart, don't claim to be the sheriff, he has ignored real complaints and made excuses for the convicted felon that was running the jail house kitchen,and signing all purchase order's in the jail, who has now acused of raping a former inmate, who has now resigned, thank god, one down many more to go, we all understand jail ain't the Hilton, but the law is clear on medical issues and medications and pepper spraying someone who is asking to see the doctor or for there meds, give me a break, we have almost 60 million in lawsuits, more on the way, open your eyes people, there are problems there, he is out of control, if you are a real Seals supporter or friend, tell him to fix the mess before he goes to federal prison,,, just fix it,,,,,,

Posted by: Local citizen on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:43 PM
A local from Sevierville.I think that Sheriff Seals did handled it all wrong,he sould have arrested Mr Lowe, for in general, "being a public nuisance". Mr Lowe has been overheard in a local restaurant plotting against the Sheriff before the election,(with another Sheriff hopeful,I'm not telling her name)He has had a "get even" agenda against Mr Seals.He needs to quit running for Sheriff, and get on the "Jerry Springer Show",where he will certainly fit in. Sincerely local Joe citizen .

Posted by: Brenda Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 05:14 PM
This is just sad. Sad that a Boy Scout Troop was witness to a raving Brad Lowe speach about a womans genitalia. Sad that He and his cronies are able to grind government to a halt, Sad that our elected officials have to endure these "National Enquirer" attacks. No wonder good people don't want to participate in Government anymore, why would they with this type crap aimed at you ? Mr. Lowe, please stay home and wait for the Bat-Signal to call for your help. And, for WVLT, please investigate your stories a bit more next time. There is absolutely no evidence of any type assault on that tape, but there is evidence of provocation, ie: calling the Sheriff "fatboy" ! Lets see if you post this comment ~

Posted by: lulu Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 03:42 PM
WVLT needs to get there facts straight. This comment "We tried to give Sheriff Seals a chance to tell his side of the story, but his staff told us the Sheriff is out of the office." only proves that they are misinformed. Lowe is a sore loser and needs to get on with his life. This has all gotten way out of hand.

Posted by: Scott Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 03:20 PM
These types of idiotic actions and circumstances will continue as long as Sevier County is run by uneducated locals that get their jobs because of who they know and where they have lived their whole life.

Posted by: tom Location: sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 02:48 PM
ok people i understand if some of u wont to pretect the corruption in server co because these co is so dirty someof these people can do what they wont and get by with it the jail is a jail but it is bad in there there is staff in there that need to be put out they do what they wont in there and get by with it yes there is rapes that go on in there alot of the food is no good there is people having to sleep in the floors and so on... but to the sheriff dept.and the court house they all need put out of there jobs u know if this happens on camera what all happens off the camera. so wake up sevier co lets put them out of these office so they dont start coming in our homes and killing us .if we the people stand together we can change sevier co and the high power of the court house and the sheriff offices

Posted by: barry Location: sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 01:50 PM
WLVT was duped by Mr. Lowe. It is obvious that this entire situation was staged by him. He brought his own video camera to the meeting, and brought his lackey Mr. King to be a witness. Mr King shows up everywhere with Mr. Lowe. Both filed suits (although Lowe's was only a motion) to try to overturn the election results in Sevier County. Yet they did not have a shred of evidence of any impropriety. Needless to say, the suits were dismissed. Mr. Lowe even argued to the Court that only paper ballots should be allowed in Sevier County, although the State testified this could add at least $80,000.00 to the costs of the election. It seems Mr. Lowe has a vendetta against all Sevier County elected officials. He is constantly wasting the County's time and money with his ridiculous accusations and rants. He is a blight on the County. Your station should do more investigation before it gives a podium to people like Mr. Lowe

Posted by: sunshine on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I think Lowe needs to grow up and be a real man about losing!!! he is just being a sore LOSER!!

Posted by: Born & Raised Location: Sevier Co. on Mar 19, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Uh oh, so now we have a cop..arotcey in our mist look out good citizens of Sevier County you might be on Lowe vison next, I say hitch up the horses boys and lets run this no good scandral outta town.

Posted by: judy Location: knox on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:21 AM
i do nt think this should be considered assult both men need to grow up .it sounds like mr lowe is a sore loser

Posted by: Helen Location: Knoxville on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:17 AM
From a totally unbiased standpoint, the Sheriff appears to be unstable. In his posistion, he should be able to withstand controversy and maintain professionalism. Maybe he should consider another line of work.

Posted by: Citizen Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Anybody can only take so much abuse. Brad Lowe deserves much more after the dirty campaign that he ran against Seals. For months Brad Lowe has done nothing but cause trouble and tell lies trying to make Seals look bad. Want evidence of that?... look at the seviercorruption.com web site that he is responsible for. Its full of propaganda and lies from him. Brad, there is NO WAY you could ever become Sheriff as we don't want a troublecauser. I wish Seals had gave you what you really deserve, a good punch in the Mouth.

Posted by: Deborah Location: Sevierville on Mar 19, 2008 at 07:46 AM
HOW "LOWE" WILL HE GO??? 1.This has been an ongoing thing, every meeting one of the ex-running mates for the title of sheriff is there to cause an uproar. 2. Sheriff Seals did what any trained Officer of the law would have done, stick something in their face, they are going to react, its reflex. 3. How about this, the Sheriff should press charges for Slander, Mr. Lowe was heard calling him "fat boy" on the video, how childish, rude and unprofessional. 4. It's jail people, not the VIP suite. 5. I know for a fact these prisoners eat better then I do! 6. Who would want a new sheriff like Mr. Lowe who spends his days thinking of ways to annoy others??? Geez man get a life!7. Sounds like a set up to me, intended to do just what it did, who goes to a meeting with their camera rolling unless they intend to capture something? He had to be right in the Sheriff's face, I use mine alot and that was real close up.8.I appolize for the good people of Sevier Co. It isn't our nature to act that way!

Posted by: Michelle Location: Knoxville on Mar 19, 2008 at 03:32 AM
I personally know about the situation going on in Sevier Co Jail. They treat the inmates unhumanely and also do not treat them medically and abuse them physically. I think Seals has done nothing to improve that serious situation. Someone needs to get some law suits and stir up some media news to get the pressure on them. Before it is to late. Their has been suicides there, rape and who knows what else. Come on People. Defend your rights....

Posted by: wayne Location: Dandridge on Mar 18, 2008 at 11:28 PM
What in the crap is going on in Sevier Co., Sheriff dept. is a mess and is not going to get any better with this kind of action. Dont vote for Seals and all your problems will go away. Sevier county ethics?

Posted by: joe Location: dandridge on Mar 18, 2008 at 11:09 PM
brad lowe is a disgracewd ex dea agent that takes meds for severe pain., he only recieved 800 votes out of 7000 votes cast and is just plainly a sore loser. he has tried to get a response from sheriff seals for weeks and has done several things to provoke him. the was also a boyscout troop in attendance when lowe started describing a females claims of abuse and went into detail about her private parts. that is why the meeting was adjourned. the inmate should be making the complaint not lowe !!!

Posted by: Charles Location: Sevierville on Mar 18, 2008 at 10:15 PM
You TV folks don't have a clue do you ? This Lowe person was ranting and raving, waving,his arms in the air like a wild man, thats why the meeting was adjourned. There was a Boy Scout Troop in attendance when Lowe was yelling something about a womans vagina. Did you see that part of his video tape ??? Hardly a reputable witness to anything. I will gladly be in court for Mr. Seals, if need be.

Posted by: John Location: Sevierville, TN on Mar 18, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I witnessed Sheriff Seals assault on Mr. Lowe. He slapped the video camera and then he grabbed the tripod and shoved it into Mr. Lowes chest. Disgusting behavior by one who has a duty to uphold the law!!! Mr. Lowe should prosecute and I will be a witness if called upon to serve.

Posted by: G Location: Cate on Mar 18, 2008 at 07:05 PM
I witnessed the entire incident from six feet away and it was actually worse than it appears on film. The only reason the Sheriff was unavailable for comment is that he was on the golf course with two county commissioners.

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