Two Former Mt. Juliet City Workers Charged with Theft of City Property
A TBI investigation leads to theft charges against two former Mt. Juliet workers accused of selling city property to online vendors.
MT. JULIET, TENNESSEE — Two former Mt. Juliet city employees surrendered to authorities Friday after a Wilson County Grand Jury indicted them on theft charges related to the sale of city-owned property to online vendors.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested Marshall Taylor, 55, and River Johnson, 28, following a months-long investigation requested by 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson. Both defendants worked for the city before the alleged crimes occurred.
Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments
On Tuesday, TBI agents presented evidence to a Wilson County Grand Jury regarding the unauthorized sale of city-owned property to third-party online vendors. The grand jury returned multiple indictments against the former employees.
Taylor faces three separate charges: one count of Theft of Property valued between $2,500 and $10,000, one count of Theft of Property valued between $1,000 and $2,500, and one count of Tampering with Evidence. Johnson was charged with one count of Theft of Property valued between $1,000 and $2,500.
Defendants Turn Themselves In
Both suspects turned themselves into the Wilson County Jail on Friday. Taylor was processed and released on a $7,500 bond, while Johnson posted a $3,500 bond for his release.
The investigation began after officials discovered allegations that the two former city workers had been selling municipal property through online platforms without authorization. TBI special agents conducted the probe at the request of the district attorney’s office.
Presumption of Innocence
According to the TBI, the charges represent accusations of criminal conduct rather than evidence of guilt. Both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt through the legal process.
The case highlights concerns about municipal property management and employee oversight in local government operations. The investigation focused specifically on transactions involving city assets and their unauthorized transfer to third-party vendors.
No additional details about the specific items sold or the total value of the alleged theft were released by investigators. The case will now proceed through the Wilson County court system as both defendants prepare their legal defenses.
