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Press Release

Former Nashville Metro Police Sergeant Facing Federal Theft And Money Laundering Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee
Indictment Alleges Defendant Stole More Than 100k During Search Warrant Executions

An indictment was unsealed today, charging former Nashville Metropolitan Police Department (MNPD)Sergeant James Dunaway with  two counts of theft from federal program funds and two counts of money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee. 

Dunaway, 43, of Old Hickory, Tennessee, surrendered this morning to U.S. Marshals after being indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday.  He will appear before a U.S. Magistrate later this afternoon.

According to the indictment, during the period of November 18, 2015 through November 16, 2017, Dunaway was a supervisor in the MNPD Specialized Investigation Division-Narcotics Unit and was responsible, among other things, for monitoring and executing search warrants. 

The indictment alleges that during the execution of search warrants on five separate occasions, Dunaway stole a portion of the cash discovered and seized at each location, including:

the November 18, 2015 search of a residence off Pleasant Hill Road in Nashville, where more than $100,000 was seized;

the April 10, 2017 search of a residence off Robertson Road in Nashville, where more than $500,000 was seized;

the April 26, 2017 search of a residence off Pleasant Hill Road in Nashville, where more than $182,000 was seized;

the September 13, 2017 search of a residence off Spencer Enclave Way in Nashville, where more than $70,000 was seized; and

the November 15, 2017 search of a hotel room in which the MNPD Office of Professional Accountability had placed marijuana, $28,000 cash and video cameras for the purpose of conducting an integrity check.  Video cameras captured Dunaway placing money in his pockets during the search and the indictment alleges that Dunaway stole $5,860.00 during the execution of this search warrant.

The indictment also alleges that between April 11, 2017 and May 8, 2017, Dunaway made approximately $40,540.00 in cash deposits and on May 1, 2017, he obtained a cashier’s check with $42,500.00 cash, which he stole during the searches.  Dunaway then used the cashier’s check to purchase a 2014 Toyota Sequoia.

The indictment further alleges that during the course of this scheme, Dunaway embezzled, stole and converted approximately $105,910.00 to his own use.

If convicted, Dunaway faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.  U.S. Attorney Don Cochran and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Contact

David Boling
Public Information Officer
615-736-5956
David.Boling2@usdoj.gov

Updated May 4, 2018

Topic
Public Corruption