Court docs: Escaped Carter Co. inmate had been previously charged with attempted kidnapping

CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Court records show an inmate who walked off work detail in Carter County was previously charged with attempted kidnapping.

Billy Fletcher, 43, walked away from his work detail at the Carter County Detention Center shortly after 7 a.m. on June 20, according to Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley.

The sheriff’s office later confirmed Fletcher is believed to have come into contact with Victor Birchfield, 61, who was reported missing a day later. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued a Silver Alert for Birchfield on June 22 , and the Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said the cases were connected on Monday .

Birchfield’s vehicle and Fletcher were both spotted in South Carolina. Fraley said in a press conference Tuesday that the vehicle has since been recovered.

Fletcher was serving a three-year sentence at the detention center for violation of probation. His probation stemmed from previous charges tied to a November 2017 incident.

An affidavit of complaint filed in Carter County General Sessions Court described the incident. On Nov. 25, 2017, Fletcher allegedly assaulted a woman and grabbed her by the throat. The affidavit states he forced her out of a house and tried to put her in a truck.

A man who lived at the home then confronted Fletcher with a rifle and ordered him to leave the property. According to the affidavit, Fletcher started to approach him until the man shot him once in the leg. Fletcher then reportedly left.

As a result, the affidavit states Fletcher was charged with domestic assault, attempted kidnapping and attempted burglary.

Fletcher was convicted of attempted burglary and sentenced to three years, but court documents show that sentence was suspended and he was instead placed on probation on April 18, 2019.

Fletcher allegedly violated his probation by absconding. He was ultimately booked into the county detention center in August 2023 for violating probation.

Fletcher was also charged with aggravated assault in Johnson County for a separate January 2020 incident.

The CCSO and TBI are each offering $1,000 rewards for information that leads to Fletcher’s arrest. Fraley said on Tuesday Fletcher should be considered dangerous.

Anyone who sees Fletcher or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Anyone with information on Birchfield’s whereabouts is asked to contact the CCSO at 423-542-1845 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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