Travis Braunm	Wendy Davis	Ruby Sowards

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office seized vehicles, guns, cash, and even some jars of moonshine after a search warrant was served on a West Knox County house on Thursday, June 10th.   It started with the arrest of 27 year old Travis Braunm at a Knoxville hotel on Saturday where he was arrested on outstanding warrants concerning drugs and weapons.  The investigation led to his mother’s house at 1823 Thompson Road Thursday morning where officers say Braunm had been staying and conducting drug business.  They found 450 marijuana plants growing in the back yard, over $33,000 in cash in the house, 25 long guns, evidence of indoor marijuana growing, several bottles of moonshine, and 22 vehicles.  Among the vehicles confiscated were a tractor, bull dozer, dirt bike, several vintage cars, and a Jaguar.  None had been stolen.

Officers believe Braunm was bringing narcotics from Florida and selling them in the Knoxville area.  He has a lengthy criminal history which includes numerous failures to appear, drug charges, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated kidnapping, stalking, aggravated robbery, and vandalism.  He is being held at the Knox County Detention Facility on a $15,000 bond and a hold for Sevier County where he is wanted for evading arrest, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.  Charges are pending in Knox County as the investigation continues.

Braunm’s mother, 51 year old Ruby Sowards and his sister, 21 year old Wendy Davis were charged with harboring a fugitive.  Sowards is also charged with attempted aggravated robbery and is being held on a $10,000 bond.  Davis is being held on a $5,000 bond.

Several KCSO Units were involved in the operation.  The SWAT Team conducted the search warrant, the Narcotics Unit seized the marijuana plants and confiscated the vehicles, Criminal Warrants officers tracked down Davis and arrested her, the Bomb Unit checked for any traps around the marijuana patch and house, and Patrol Officers aided the investigation.

Joseph Anthony Rivera

A man accused of killing his wife in a West Knox apartment Saturday afternoon is behind bars and charged with first degree murder.  Forty-eight year old Joseph Anthony Rivera of Knoxville is at the Knox County Detention Facility on a $250,000 bond.

According to witnesses, Rivera and his estranged wife, 38 year old Christene, were arguing on the front porch of her Bramblewood Apartments off George Wiliams Road shortly before 5 p.m. on June 5th.  Witnesses heard her screaming as he dragged her into the apartment.  One man went to the partially opened door of the apartment and saw the suspect over the victim before the suspect slammed the door.  The suspect was later seen running out the back of the apartment a short time later and fleeing the scene from a lower parking lot at the apartments in a pick-up truck.  Witnesses called 911 at 5:11 p.m. and when officers arrived on the scene they forced the door open and found the victim on the floor dead.  Her body was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office.  Cause of death has not been released.

Rivera was taken into custody by officers with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office shortly before 10:00 p.m. after a short pursuit on Highway 321.  Rivera wrecked his pick-up truck and was taken into custody without incident and then transferred to Knox County.

Rivera and his wife had been separated for the past six months and she had an order of protection against him. 

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation into the alleged assault of Henry Granju.  The preliminary investigation shows no evidence that his death was the result of a homicide or from the injuries he may have received from an assault.  An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday and the results are pending. 

We understand and sympathize that the family wants answers immediately.  However, our detectives will not compromise the investigation and will continue to investigate the incident with professionalism and integrity.