NIOTA, Tenn.-
Voters in Niota elected James Wayne Cagle to the city commission, apparently unaware he was on the sheriff’s most wanted list in a neighboring East Tennessee county.
Cagle, with 93 votes, edged incumbent Allen J. Watkins by a single vote, even though Cagle was on the Monroe County Sheriff’s 10 most wanted list on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 for two outstanding misdemeanor charges.
Cagle is accused of failing to appear in court to answer to charges of driving on a revoked license this year and of writing a bad check to a grocery store in 2004, court officials said.
His driving privileges were revoked after he was cited for failing to show proof of insurance during a traffic stop, records show.
Cagle did not answer his telephone Thursday, and no answering machine picked up. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department did not return a call seeking comment.
Cagle is scheduled to be sworn in to his new city post in December. An elections official said the charges do not prevent Cagle from taking office.
City commission members will discuss Cagle’s warrants with the city attorney next week, commissioner Eva Brakebill said.
