CARTER COUNTY – A joint investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of a former Siam Utility District employee accused of stealing thousands.
In April 2025, at the request of 1st Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney, TBI agents began investigating allegations of theft involving former Siam Utility District Office Manager Royce Gentry (DOB: 06/12/62). During the investigation, evidence was gathered indicating that between January 2023 and March 2025, Gentry processed unauthorized payroll checks payable to himself for unused vacation and sick leave. Investigators also determined that he received thousands of dollars in overtime pay for hours he did not work.
On September 10th, the Carter County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Gentry with two counts of Official Misconduct, one count of Theft over $60,000, and one count of Theft over $10,000. On Tuesday, with assistance from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Gentry was arrested and booked into the Carter County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
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