Charles Christopher White ran out of chances. His bid for furlough into a long-term in-house treatment program was resisted by state prosecutors who cited his lengthy record and lost opportunities seeking help for his addiction.
Criminal Court Judge Gary McKenzie agreed with the state, noting, “You have a long history of violations, offenses, have had diversion, probation several times.
“The state is right. There are programs out there.”
With that said, McKenzie during the recent sentencing hearing ruled White, 53, who has listed homes in Bledsoe, Blount, Cumberland and Meigs counties, serve the balance of his six-year prison sentence as a Range 1 offender.
On May 6, White pleaded no contest to violation of the sex offender registry, tampering with evidence and two counts of .
In exchange for his plea, he was allowed to plea as a Range 1 offender and was fined $350 on one of the DUI charges.
The sex offender violation charge stems from a June 26, 2024, arrest, tampering charge from a May 21, 2024, charge and the DUI charges from May 21, 2024, and Dec. 15, 2024, arrests.
Tennessee Department of Corrections/Board of Pardon and Parole Officer Charles Stiriz was the only state witness Assistant District Attorney Philip Hatch called. Stiriz prepared the pre-sentence report for the court.
White’s criminal history shows arrests back to December 2004 when he was charged with indecent exposure to a victim 13 or younger in Blount County; aggravated sexual battery on July 26, 2005, in Sevier County; violation of community supervision for life in Cumberland County Oct, 6, 2016; and harassment in Cumberland on Aug. 16, 2017.
The history also shows a domestic violence conviction in Blount County in February 2005; aggravated assault in Blount County in March 1991; and sexual battery in Blount County on March 21, 1991.
In at least three of the cases, diversion was granted — and later violated — on technical issues or because of new charges. The record also shows violation of probation charges.
The report indicates White states he has a veterinary degree, bachelor’s and master degrees in theology and is a certified electrician.
Stiriz also performed the risk assessment document called the Strong-R Assessment Tool which found White with a high risk for violence and recommended mandatory programs to help the defendant with the issues identified in the report.
Defense attorney relied on testimony from the Rev. John Qualmann of Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church and Sarah Myers-Grieve of Invitational Ministries.
Qualmann testified he conducts jail visits every other week, and White is a faithful attendee, conscientious and described him as a “studier and a thinker.” The minister added, “I know he wants treatment.”
Myers-Grieve testified she believes White is serious about wanting to enter long-term treatment has has arranged for him to be placed in a program in Illinois.
She said he has completed several short-term programs and needs the long-term in-house treatment.
“I believe he is genuine … I don’t believe his has ever been given the opportunity (because of lack of insurance to cover costs).”
Hatch’s only question was, “Could he have gone on his own?”
In a statement of elocution, White admitted he has “a terrible record,” and added he “never thought I would wake up in a mental hospital.”
He told the judge his mother and father died from addiction and the trauma of those experiences went untreated.
He added he became addicted to pain medication because of a spine injury. Finances kept him from seeking long-term help, White said.
McKenzie reflected on White’s record. “Four major cases with independent court dates. That is a lot. Some people go their entire lives without that record.”
He then denied the request for long-term rehab, referring White to treatment programs provided by TDOC and ordered the six-year sentence at 30% be served.