TBI arrests former 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force Director

Nov. 9– According to a press release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the law enforcement agency arrested the former director of the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force yesterday for theft and other charges after the Henry County Grand Jury handed down indictments against him on Monday.

Steve Lee, 58, of McKenzie, Tenn. was the drug task force director at the time of the offenses and was charged with one count of theft, one count of official misconduct and one count of knowingly giving a false statement to an auditor.

TBI began investigating allegations against the 24th Drug Task Force at the request of the district attorney general after the state comptroller’s office discovered missing funds during an audit. In March of this year, TBI received new information about illegal purchases of equipment and misuse of seized items by members of the drug task force. The state comptroller’s division of county audit completed the audit and released its findings in August of 2011. The case is being handled by a special prosecutor.

Hardin County is included in the 24th Judicial District.  

Lee was booked into the Henry County Jail and posted a $10,000 bond.