Trooper indicted on sex, official misconduct charges

March 19– A former state trooper who patrolled Hardin County has been indicted on three counts each of aggravated sexual battery and official misconduct.

Jimmy Lambert, 56, was fired by the Tennessee Department of Safety last December, The Courier first reported.

A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer since July 1997, he had been placed on administrative leave on Nov. 16, 2009 pending an internal investigation, according to safety department Public Affairs Director Mike Browning.

The Hardin County grand jury’s six-count indictment was made public today.

The claim is that Lambert did intentionally, knowingly and forcibly, while either armed or with an object leading the victim to believe he had a semi-automatic handgun, touch the breasts or genital area of two women.

The incident occurred on or around Nov. 1, 2009, the date cited on two of the official misconduct counts.

The final count of official misconduct involves a third woman.

It states Lambert "did knowingly or intentionally with intent to obtain a benefit...commit an act under color of his employment...that exceeds the servant’s official power."

The crime is alleged to have occurred during a period between April 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009.

Lambert is out of jail on a $25,000 bond.