Silly crimes, big consequences: Lawyer breaks down charges in Vienna sausage vandalism

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Some crime stories sound like they’ve been pulled from a comedy sketch, but, regardless of how silly they may sound, they can have big consequences.

Earlier this month, former Jacksboro police officer Joseph Weaver was arrested on vandalism and theft charges after he was accused of failing to scan several cans of Vienna sausages at a Walmart before allegedly throwing them at the Jacksboro Vice Mayor Jimmy Snodgrass’ house.

An affidavit included in the arrest warrant stated that before the alleged crimes happened, Weaver was with three others at a marina eating and drinking when he became agitated about the incident which led him to resign from the police department. According to the affidavit, the deputy who investigated the incident spoke with Weaver and reported that Weaver took sole responsibility for what happened.

Although the alleged crimes may have been motivated by pettiness, they aren’t petty crimes. According to the Isaacs Law Firm, Weaver is facing a Class D Felony charge of vandalism over $2,500. The theft charge he is facing, theft under $1,000, is a Class A misdemeanor.

If Weaver is convicted of the charges, he could be facing two to four years in prison and restitution for the vandalism charge, and up to 11 months and 29 days for the theft charge.

In this week’s Ask Isaacs, WATE’s Lori Tucker and attorney Greg Isaacs discuss the case and how silly crimes can become serious.

If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@wate.com . To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here.

WATE’s Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m.

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