Tipton County grand jury indicts former sheriff's deputy | Crime

On Monday, July 9, 2012, the Tipton County Grand Jury returned a 2-count indictment against former Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Cochran for the Class D Felony offenses of Aggravated Statutory Rape.

Cochran, 29, has been charged by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) with the above crimes involving a 17 year old minor victim, and occurring on March 9 and March 15 of this year.

The allegations in this case were originally discovered by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office during an internal investigation, and upon learning of the same, the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office properly and immediately contacted this office to request an independent TBI investigation.

It is not alleged that Cochran committed these offenses in his capacity as a law enforcement officer, and he has been terminated from employment with the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office.

If convicted, Cochran faces a possible range of sentence of 2-4 years on each of the Aggravated Statutory Rape counts.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2012, in the Tipton County Circuit Court. A bond of $2,500.00 has been set by the Court.

The Tipton County Sheriff's Department did not comment on Cochran's case.