The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) recently secured a guilty verdict against Charles Anthony Ellis for the intentional burning of a barn in Monroe County. The investigation, which began in September 2024 following a family dispute in Madisonville, was a collaborative effort between the ACU, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Ellis was sentenced to nearly a year in jail and ordered to complete an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program.

This case highlights the specialized expertise of ACU agents, who receive advanced FBI-supported training to investigate complex rural crimes ranging from wildland fires to targeted agricultural arson. As a vital arm of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the ACU continues to protect the state’s rural communities through rigorous enforcement and partnerships with local and federal agencies, having investigated 53 cases in April 2026 alone. To report agricultural crimes, citizens are encouraged to contact the ACU at 844-AG-CRIME.