disgraced former drug task force officer sentenced to 9 months in jail

A former member of the Sevier County Drug Task Force was sentenced to serve 9 months in prison and 3-plus year’s probation after pleading guilty to three counts of theft.

Richard R. Vance, judge for the Circuit Court for the Fourth Judicial District, sentenced Mark Shults, 34, on three counts of theft. The arrest of Mark Shults, 34, came after Drug Task Director Mack Smith reported to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation that Shults may have failed to submit money he seized from individuals to the Drug Task Force. The investigation revealed that Shults had failed to submit as evidence funds on three occasions, totaling $16,521.

Testimony in the case revealed that more than 20 drug-related cases had to be dismissed or not pursued because of the actions of Shults. The evidence also showed that Shults supported his alcohol and drug addiction by procuring drugs from dealers and by stealing them from the DTF.

James B. Dunn, district attorney general for the Fourth Judicial District said that his office asked the judge for a sentence that includes jail time to serve as a deterrent to others in law enforcement, and because “jail time is needed to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the offenses,” according to a release.

Shults, members of his family, and friends testified that the disgraced officer’s drug treatment has been successful, that he is now drug free, and that he would like to make amends for his offenses.

If he hadn’t kicked the drug habit before serving his sentence, you can bet he has now that he’s behind bars! I want to see how he plans to make amends to the community he harmed so seriously. The Seymour Herald, of course, will follow up on this. ­ Ed.