DNA EVIDENCE INDENTIFIES SUSPECT IN THEFT

PUTNAM COUNTY, TN— On May 23, 2023, PCSO Detective Gary Harris was contacted by the Bax-
ter Police Department requesting assistance investigating a theft that occurred at Portobello America,

located at 8701 Ditty Rd, in Baxter, TN.
Portobello reported that someone had stolen 1000 ft of copper wire from their construction site. There
was also a crashed side-by-side vehicle and blood left on the scene of the crash.
Detectives responded to the scene and collected a sterile DNA Swab of the blood droplets. The DNA
was submitted to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Crime Lab for identification.
On Wednesday February 25, 2026, Detective Harris received the official results from the TBI Crime

Lab regarding the forensic analysis of blood evidence in connection with this investigation. The lab re-
port indicated that the DNA profile belonged to Carl Jackson Thurman Petty. At the time Petty was

already in Sullivan County Jail for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and 2 counts of Criminal Trespass-
ing.

Sheriff Farris said, “Our partnership with the TBI Crime Lab is crucial to solving these types of cases. It
gives us the ability to turn evidence into accountability. Working together ensures that those responsible
are identified and held accountable in Putnam County.”
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Petty was transferred to the Putnam County Jail and charged with Theft of
Property, Burglary, and Vandalism. He has a bond set at $38,000 and a court date of May 13, 2026.