Outgoing Nason mayor arrested
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McKinney booked for stolen vehicle, obstructing justice
By TRAVIS MORSE
Michelle McKinney
NASON — Outgoing City of Nason Mayor Michelle McKinney was arrested Tuesday afternoon on felony charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing justice.
McKinney, 48, of Nason, was the incumbent candidate for Nason Mayor in the April 1 Consolidated Election. She and candidate Zachary Holtz were defeated in the race by Rachel K. Lynch, who will be officially sworn in next month.
McKinney’s arrest was the result of a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigation that was initiated on April 2. It was launched after a tip was forwarded to the JCSO Detective Division that a stolen vehicle was allegedly being concealed at 352 N. Third St. in Nason, states a JCSO news release.
The subsequent investigation led to a search warrant for that residence, which was served on Tuesday afternoon. A black 2009 GMC pickup truck, reported stolen from Wayne County, was allegedly recovered. This was after authorities learned that the vehicle had allegedly been moved from the 352 N. Third St. site to an alternate location in an attempt to further conceal it, the release states.
“We solve many crimes like this, thanks to tips from citizens,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard Wednesday. “A reminder, tips can be submitted through the Sheriff’s (Office) app or (by) calling Crimestoppers.”
After her arrest, McKinney was taken to the Jefferson County jail, processed and released with a mandatory court date, per the new bail system under the SAFE-T Act.
Formal charges have not yet been announced in this case, and an initial court date was not available Wednesday. The report has been submitted to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, said State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun.
Earlier this year, McKinney filed a defamation lawsuit against four people, alleging that they maliciously spread false information online to damage McKinney’s reputation. Lynch was one of the defendants named in the suit. The others were Frank Donovan, Rita Pogue and Rosa McCoy. That case was recently assigned to Judge Vaughn and a follow-up court date was not listed.
The Sentinel will continue to follow the McKinney arrest story as more information becomes available.
