It is better to have people think you’re an idiot,
Then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Thursday June 22, 2017 10:32am (Spelling per Shaner)
Shaner to Me: well your lucky you wernt here... you woulda got smacked in the fuckin mouth...
Having read the story published in the Cannon Courier August 29, 2017 which identifies me as a suspect in an alleged crime of making a threat to a Rick Shaner, I wish to response to clarify issues with the story.
It is important to note that Shaner told Deputy Smith “the feud with Gibbs had been taking place for a short amount of time, and had never reached the point of threats before” That statement is false. Shaner has been a constant critic of my actions since November of last year and has repeatedly called me names and harassed during that period.
Approximately two months ago, after a brief exchange discussing the excessive number of Cannon County Sheriff’s cars using the Facebook message service Shaner threaten me.
On Thursday June 22, 2017 at 10:32am, Rick Shaner wrote to Jim Gibbs: “well your lucky you wernt here... you woulda got smacked in the f-
The threat was similar to the one made on August 18, 2017 at 4:38am. I reacted to both threats in jest and did the mucho thing which suggested to him that I have lived a life of danger as a narcotics officer with my only protection being a gun I used to have which was inscribed "Hold Me Level And I'll Kill The Devil" -
A similar response to the more recent threat by Shaner was posted by me on my Facebook page but not sent directly to Shaner as a message as I long ago blocked messages from him.
The post was indeed sarcastic which stated, “This is special. An overweight, foul mouth punk seeking attention in Cannon County, who doesn’t even have the courage to call out and meet Commissioner Todd face to face except at the sheriff’s office threatens me -
I also joked about him wearing a large fake diamond in his ear. I wrote, “Do you think that big fake diamond that you wear in your ear will make you “float like butterfly and sting like a bee?”
I also implied that if he was to cause a physical attack on me, that he may regret it. I wrote, “You have no idea Shaner how lucky you are that I'm not still there.”
Shaner quickly responded that he took my words to be a threat and I once again I corrected him. I wrote, “My message to you is: Before you start threatening people you better make sure your mouth isn't overloading your ass -
Rick Shaner -
Shaner is responsible for the Facebook page “Fix Cannon Co. TN Govt” -
Facebook pages because of his vulgar comments. Most of his comments usually contain degrading name calling and innuendo.
Rick Shaner’s moment of glory -
Just could wait to offer it as truth and call good people names.
There is evidence that the report was a set up -
I also repeated back his mild threat to me which suggested for a second time to two months that “I was lucky that I was not there in Woodbury" and understood it to mean that I would be physically harmed if I was. I also pointed out that he is so stupid that he can't sort through what is a threat and what is a response to a threat.
So I was surprised when on August 28th, Shaner posted a picture of the front page of the Cannon Courier story which was apparently extracted from a sheriff’s report written by Deputy Zack Smith at the request of Rick Shaner.
Having a great understanding of criminal law and law enforcement, I was curious as to why Deputy Smith didn’t offer advice to Shaner that what was written by me and especially considering the distance between Reno and Woodbury, that there was no credible threat made. It was obvious from the report that Deputy Smith had access to the words written by me which even included a denial to Shaner’s claim of a threat and that I did not intend to make a threat.
As I pondered the story trying to understand why the report of a frivolous complaint by a local trouble maker was even made and especially why a copy of it was faxed to my hometown police department in Reno, I made every attempt to excuse Deputy Smith’s actions until I made an interesting discovery regarding the relationship between Deputy Smith and Rick Shaner.
Rick Shaner publishes on Facebook a page called “Fix Cannon County TN Govt” The site a constant attack on County Executive Mike Gannon, Commissioners Mark Barker, Karen Ashford, Todd Hollandsworth, Adam Melton, Richie Hunter and to a lesser degree Commissioners Glenn Steakley and Jamie Holloway.
Deputy Zack Smith is a follower of Shaner’s vile Facebook page that is no more than a slanderous attack on County Executive Mike Gannon and many of the commissioners. Deputy Zack Smith frequently expresses his agreement with Shaner in the form of clicking on the “LIKE” button on Shaner’s rants.
Zack Smith is also friends with a Facebook personality named “Kenny Jones”. I have determined that “Kenny Jones” is a fake Facebook page with the only purpose being to slander, ridicule and undermine the administration of Mike Gannon.
In addition to attacking Mike Gannon, both Rick Shaner and the person behind the fake Facebook page “Kenny Jones” appear to be on a mission to destroy my credibility and shut me up. Why? Because they believe that I am a spoke person for Mike Gannon.
Nothing could be closer to the truth. While I sympathize with Mike Gannon because I realize from previous outrageous attacks on me what he is going through. I do not speak for him, I speak for myself. I pity his wife and family who have to be hearing the constant lies, innuendoes and outright slanderous name calling. I have experienced the same trash from many of the same people involve in the attacks on Mike Gannon.
Those who are just nothing more than slanderous bullies need to stop. I take these false accusations in this police report by Deputy Smith as a bullying tactic and an abuse of the authority trusted to him. I am not surprised that Rick Shaner would file a false report. He complains about everything and doesn’t see his own faults.
I was never contacted by the sheriff’s department regarding the report leading to this story. I do appreciate the editorial staff of the Cannon Courier allowing be this opportunity to tell “my side of the story”. I truly wish the people of Cannon County the best during these troubling times.
Transcription of a Facebook Exchange with Rick Shaner -
Note: I had posted a Facebook meme regarding the number of patrol vehicles in service at the Cannon county Sheriff’s office and critical of take home cars by sheriff deputies. Using the Facebook messaging service, Shaner sent me an uninvited message to which I responded.
Thursday June 22, 2017 7:36am
Shaner to Me: you know I gotta beat up the cop car thing a bit... right? I will keep it respectful
Thursday June 22, 2017 8:41am
Me to Shaner: Don't make a fool out of yourself. LOL Remember, this is my area of expertise and I have documented 20 years of junk from 5 sheriff's -
I know you are a numbers guy so I share this -
Shaner to Me: lol... I have never made a fool of myself... some have tried but miserably failed...
Me to Shaner: I didn't say you did -
In the meanwhile -
Thursday June 22, 2017 10:32am
Shaner to Me: well your lucky you wernt here... you woulda got smacked in the fuckin mouth...
Me to Shaner: I'm not big guy -
Shaner to Me: lol... you are a joke
Me to Shaner: But a tough little joke LOL
Shaner to Me: doubt it...
Me to Shaner: Not important and even childish -
Shaner to Me: ya it is childish the you go to the gun... but typical of LE
Me to Shaner: Go to the gun??? -
I Carried a gun inscribed 'Hold Me Level and I'll Kill the Devil" -
Shaner to Me: kinda sounds like a threat to me... I dont miss many points....with anything... so dont let your feeble ass write and checks...
Shaner to Me: ooppss any... not and
Me to Shaner: You did miss the point -
Shaner to Me: well after what you posted you woulda got you ass kicked... and if you pulled a gun... you would got burried with it...
Me to Shaner: LOL -
Shaner to Me: WORTHLESS FAGGOT
Me to Shaner: Sorry, I wasn't in the Airhead Force. You must have me confused with one your butt poken roommates -
Shaner to Me: jIM YOU ARE A SICK MENTALLY ILL PIECE OF TRASH.... NOTHING MORE...
Friday June 23, 2017 8:14am
Shaner to Me: Jim.. you are typical of LE.. a know it all who knows nothing... a coward with a gun, a badge... in his derainged mind the authority to do or say anything he wants... you are pathetic...
The identity on Facebook going by the name Kenny Jones is an obvious obscure identity and the only purpose of the site is to slander Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon.
We did a little video which provides circumstantial evidence that the person controlling the page is Paul Morgan. Regardless, it is highly suspicious that Deputy Zack Smith is friends with this fake identity full of hate toward Mike Gannon.
On or about June 22, 2017, Rick Shaner initiated a conversation via Facebook Messenger which quickly deteriorated and Rick Shaner threaten me by writing that if I was in Cannon County, I would have been “smacked in the fuckin mouth” Since that exchange, I have blocked Shaner and rejected his messages. None the less, he continues to take advantage of a loop hole in Facebook’s messaging system to send one side messages intended to harass which included another implied threat.
Mr. Shaner’s persistent unconsented contact with me through Facebook messenger service with intent to harass is a violation of Tennessee law -
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