The Blount County Sheriff's office has seized thousands of dollars worth of cash and jewelry at an Alcoa store.
Sheriff Jim Berrong said Danny Dossett Malone, 49, the owner of Malone's Jewelers, was cited for not complying with Tennessee's scrap jewelry laws. Other charges are pending.
According to the law, a business that purchases scrap jewelry and precious metals must register with the local police department or sheriff's office in that city. They must also ask for valid identification from the person they are buying from, and hold the purchase for 20 days before reselling it. All purchases must also be reported to local authorities by noon of next business day.
Deputies executed a search warrant at Malone's Jewelers on Gill Street on Tuesday, after several complaints that the business wasn't asking for id's or reporting their buys to the sheriff's office.
The Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division started an investigation, which included an undercover agent who confirmed the store was not complying with state law.
"When we receive complaints from individuals on these businesses, we do follow-up on them," Sheriff Berrong said. "We go out of our way to make sure these businesses are complying with the laws. If they are not, we will prosecute."
This isn't the first time the Blount County Sheriff's Office has investigated and seized items from a local gold buyer. In July, Danny Lawrence Bunch, 49, owner of Professional Gold & Silver Buyers, was sentenced for the same crime. In that case, the sheriff's office was awarded the seized items.
Anyone with any complaints about these types of operations can call the Criminal Investigation Division during normal business hours at 273-5001, the Sheriff's Office Crime Hotline at 273-5200, or you may leave a tip through our Text-a-Tip link on our website at www.bcso.com.