Threat on judge

A suspect who claimed to carry a gun to kill a judge in the Judicial Building Monday was arrested by Court Security deputies.

Suspect Troy Clinton Chaffin, 48, of Dedham Drive in Rockvale was charged with retaliation for past action by Deputy Debbie Creech.

Creech was operating the Judicial Building metal detector when the alarm sounded. Chaffin kept moving and told her, “It’s the gun I brought in to kill the judge.”

When she stopped him, Chaffin said he was joking and did not have any weapons. He also asked if he was “going to shoot the president” would be he arrested. Creech replied he would be arrested. Deputies checked and he did not have a weapon.

Chaffin was booked into Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where he is being held on $50,000 bond. A hearing is set April 9 in General Sessions Court.

Capt. Joey King said Court Security deputies work hard every day to ensure the safety of everyone who enters the Judicial Building.

“Deputy Creech is one of those deputies who pay close attention to detail,” King said. “She heard the subject make alleged threats of using a gun to shoot a judge and she handled it immediately.”