TENNESSEE
The Chattanoogan
The director of the county schools JROTC program is facing child sex charges.
Investigators with the Chattanooga Police Department’s Family Investigations Unit arrested Col. Thomas C. McConnell, 65, for one count of aggravated sexual battery to a five-year-old child.
The incident occurred Sunday at a restaurant at 200 Manufacturers Road.
Col. McConnell, of 941 Brynwood Dr., is a deacon at St. Jude Catholic church. The Diocese of Knoxville issued this statement, “The Diocese of Knoxville became aware of the arrest of Deacon Thomas McConnell from Chattanooga, TN, who has been accused of committing aggravated sexual battery against a minor. Following diocesan policy, Bishop Richard F. Stika has temporarily suspended him from ministry pending the outcome of a police investigation.”
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