On August 28, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit conducted a controlled buy on Facebook Marketplace with a suspect who posted stolen items two days prior. A joint operation was then launched involving the HCSO Criminal Investigations Unit, Narcotics and Special Operations Unit, alongside Uniformed Services deputies.

HCSO detectives and patrol deputies initiated a traffic stop on Hixson Pike, where the suspect was found in possession of the stolen property. Deputies executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home and three storage units, where deputies located drugs, drug paraphernalia, a loaded 9mm handgun, an altered shotgun, an altered flare gun, a large quantity of ammunition, two explosive military hand grenade simulators, 15 homemade explosives, and approximately $40,000–$60,000 in stolen property. 

The stolen property has been linked to multiple thefts and burglaries being investigated by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Chattanooga Police Department.

The suspect, James Robert Bowman, was taken into custody and charged with 17 counts of Prohibited Weapon, three counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Burglary, and Theft of Property.

The HCSO would like to thank the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their assistance in this investigation.

Additional charges are pending in relation to the investigation. This information is preliminary and subject to change.