Austin Byrum, Jr.
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in a former employee with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office being charged with official misconduct.
At the request of 10th District Attorney General Steve Crump, on Aug. 30, 2016, investigators with that office and TBI agents began investigating allegations of official misconduct by Austin Byrum, Jr. At that time, Byrum was a captain at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that indicated Byrum was responsible for sexual contact with an inmate, and introducing contraband into a penal institution. He is no longer an employee of the Sheriff’s Office.
On June 6, the Monroe County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Austin Benton Byrum, 65, with one count of official misconduct, one count of sexual contact with an inmate or prisoner, and one count of introduction of contraband into a penal institution – telecommunication device. On June 8, Byrum was booked into the Monroe County Jail and released after posting a $5,000 bond.